It’s Mental Health Week this week, in case you didn’t already know. Which you might not have, because mental health is still considered taboo to talk about publicly. But it shouldn’t be. Because according to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five adults live with a mental illness. The recent celebrity suicides are a heartbreaking reminder that it’s vital you know that you can reach out to people for help when you don’t feel OK. Let’s learn how to communicate better, together, so that when we aren’t feeling our best, we know how to broach the topic with our loved ones.
Mental Health: The Importance of Communicating When You’re Not OK
Who: You and a friend, a counselor, a mental health hotline, your favorite mutual on Twitter. It doesn’t matter who you reach out to as long as you feel comfortable speaking with them about how you feel.
What: How to communicate better when it comes to your mental health. Too many times people think that their thoughts and feelings don’t matter or they’ll be perceived as ‘weak’, and then they let themselves spiral into self-doubt and depression. Even if your mental health hasn’t reached a depressive state yet, you can and should still communicate how you are feeling. It’s important to remember that there are varying degrees of mental health, and they are all valid.
When: Whenever you are struggling with your mental health in any capacity, find the love for yourself no matter how hard that may be, and connect with someone who is willing to listen.
Where: Any place or medium you feel comfortable, whether that is via phone, text, email, hotline, snail mail, coffee shop, etc.
Why: Talking through things, in general, helps you get a different perspective of a situation, and lets you talk through various scenarios. You don’t always have to appear to be a pillar of strength; reach out to someone when you need to talk and extend that offer back to them as well. Sometimes we need to take a breath and talk it out to feel better. It’s the first step in a long healing process. But no matter the gravity of the situation, remember that you are never less of a person for reaching out for help. There are people who love you, no matter how much you may feel to the contrary. Pick a trusted loved one, or even a stranger, to reach out to when you’re hurting. The world is a better place because you’re in it. Never forget that.
How: Find the right moment to have the conversation. Sometimes that is not always possible but try to be in a relaxed setting for you, to avoid added stressors. You could start by articulating that you’ve been having a tough time and then go into as much detail as you feel comfortable. It is normal to feel nervous, anxious, and any number of other feelings. Just take it word by word and take your time. If a face-to-face conversation gives you pause, consider writing a letter, or even sending a text to get your thoughts across.
Know that it takes time to get better. If you have any tips to share about what steps helped you feel OK again, Tweet me @lorenridinger.
