Asking about mental health can be difficult and we can be unsure what to say...
DO…
- Listen without judgment
- Ask: ‘How can I help?’
- Let them know you care
- Validate their feelings
- Tell them you want to hear — they’re not a burden
- Listen with the intention to understand, not fix
- Ask when you have time to listen
- Be patient
- Keep in touch even if you get no response
- Empathise
DON’T…
- Interrupt or speak over them
- Tell them how they should feel
- Jump in with solutions
- Belittle their feelings
- Pressure them to speak
- Tell them the illness or feelings they have are a choice
- Say: ‘You just need to…’ (It’s not that simple)
- Diagnose them when you’re not qualified
- Be scared to speak about feelings
- Leave them out
- Be critical or blaming
A Toolkit for Modern Life: 53 Ways to Look After Your Mind by Dr Emma Hepburn is published by Greenfinch, £12.99. You can also find her on Instagram @thepsychologymum