Opening Up : Beginning to talk about your Mental Health

In this episode, I speak about some tips to keep in mind as we begin to have conversations around our mental health struggles. So many of the messages I get about this podcast are from people who don't know how to explain their mental health to others so I figured it might be worthwhile to share some tips on things to keep in mind when you are wanting to begin talking about your own mental health. Here's a quick summary of some of the key points - 1. Find connections with other people who speak about experiences similar to your own i.e watch YouTube videos, listen to podcasts, look up hashtags on social media etc. 2. Think about the intention behind what you want to say; what are the reasons you want this conversation to happen and who do you want it to happen with? 3. Figure out what form of communication is best for you i.e writing a letter, texting, talking over the phone or email, or in person. Everyone has different ideas of what is comfortable so take the time to think about the different ways you might explain things to different people in your life. 4. Set a clear goal of what you want this conversation to lead to; do you simply want this other person to understand you better? Are you hoping they can be a supportive person during your struggles? 5. Remember to keep in mind the religious/cultural traditions of others and think about how much detail you want to give this other person. It's important to note that not everyone will have the same capacity for understanding so keeping yourself safe is key. I hope something in this episode is helpful for you and I hope this can encourage you to begin to open up to the people in your life. No one deserves to struggle alone and I am rooting for you to find happiness in this life 🖤