Mental Health.

Eight tips for talking about mental health

1. Set time aside with no distractions

It is essential to provide an open and non-judgemental space with no distractions.

1. Let them share as much or as little as they want to

Let them lead the discussion at their own pace. Don't pressure them to tell you anything they aren't ready to talk about. Talking can take a lot of trust and courage, and you might be the first person they have been able to talk to about this.

1. Don't try to diagnose or second guess their feelings.

You probably aren't a medical expert, and while you may be happy to talk and offer support, you aren't a trained counsellor. Try not to make assumptions about what is wrong or jump in too quickly with your own diagnosis or solutions.

1. Keep questions open-ended.

Say, "Why don't you tell me how you feel?" rather than "I can see you are feeling very low". Try to keep your language neutral. Give the person time to answer and try not to grill them with too many questions.

1. Talk about self-care

Talk about ways of de-stressing or practising self-care and ask if they find anything helpful. Exercising, having a healthy diet and getting a good night's sleep can help protect mental health and sustain wellbeing.?

1. Listen carefully to what they tell you.

Repeat what they have said back to them to ensure you have understood it. You don't have to agree with what they are saying, but by showing how they feel, you let them know you respect their feelings.

1. Offer them help in seeking professional support and provide information on ways to do this.

You might want to offer to go to the GP with them or help them talk to a friend or family member. Try not to take control and allow them to make decisions.

1. Know your limits

You will have your own limits on the support that you can provide. And it's essential to take care of yourself too. Give yourself time to rest and process what they have told you or what's happened. Try to help them create a support network of other friends, relatives and mental health professionals who can help them too.

Remember that If you believe they are in immediate danger or have injuries that need medical attention, you need to take urgent action to ensure they are safe. More details on dealing in a crisis can be found below.