Find It Difficult To Talk to Someone?Â
You wouldn’t think so by the way the media talks about mental health, but EVERYONE goes through mental health issues. Yes, everyone. The same way we all have physical health, we all have mental health. And like physical health, some people have good health and others don’t. We all have mental health, but we don’t all have mental ill-health, otherwise known as mental illness.
Don’t Bottle Up Your Feelings
If you’re someone struggling with a mental illness, whether it’s depression, anxiety or any of the myriad of other conditions, then don’t bottle it up. No good can come from that. Find someone you can trust. A family member, a friend, or your doctor and tell them how it’s making you feel.
But let us start by saying if you’re in a position to be willing to talk about it at all, then you’ve already taken a MASSIVE step forward. There are no right and wrongs or hard-and-fast rules on how to treat your mental health. Everyone is different and will benefit from different things.
It is easier said than done. But you don’t have to be embarrassed. Talking to someone really can help, so let’s look at some tips to make that conversation as easy as possible.
Talking to Someone Helps
Think about when and where you’re going to have the conversation. Try and pick and place where you’re both going to feel comfortable. If you regularly go to the pub, then that’s as good a place as any. Maybe choose a time when it’s a little quieter so you can be heard.
Depending on who you speak to and your relationship with them, it’s a good idea to be prepared for their reaction, whatever that may be. Good or bad, negative or positive, just be ready for it. You’ll know them better than we do, so if you’re not getting the reaction you want, don’t take it personally and just move on. They may simply be surprised at the conversation or have little experience about mental illness, let alone talking about it. You’ve already taken the first step, so the next one will be easier. Chances are, you’ll be surprised at how positive and accepting your family and friends will be.
Part of your preparation should include answers to any questions you might get. If they aren’t too familiar with your condition, be ready to answer a lot of questions about it. You could have a list of websites ready that they could look at later on. They could just as easily have no questions at all, at least straight away, so be ready for that too.
When you do start to talk, try and keep it light, at least at first. Talking about mental health can be a daunting experience, so maybe don’t go too heavy, too quickly. The other person may not know what to say at first, particularly if it’s getting into some dark areas and that’s ok.
Technology Makes Speaking Easier
If you’re unsure about talking face-to-face, then technology has made it easier than ever to keep in touch, so use that to your advantage. Getting together is great, a phone call is nice, but if they aren’t always possible like a text, a WhatsApp or Snapchat message. It may just be what you need to start the ball rolling.
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Just because you’ve talked about it with one person, doesn’t mean it should end there. Having the courage to talk about your mental health can help others. You may find that your friend or a family member has their own issues, maybe they want to talk to you about it too. The more we talk about mental health, the better we will all feel.
Contact Us Today
Talking to someone is a great way to reconnect with your mental health and manage everything modern life throws at us. If you feel you can benefit from a form of counselling, Mental Wellness can help. Call us today on 01733 639 040 for more information. Or fill in the enquiry form on our contact page.
