How to Express Concern About Someone’s Mental Health and When to Shut Up About It

It’s tricky. That’s what we found when we set out to answer a
question we get a lot: “How do I approach a loved one who I’m
worried about in terms of mental health?” Obviously, you want to
let them know you care but you want to express the depth of your
concern. You don’t want to scare them away and make them less
likely to seek help. So where’s the line?


According to Quanah Walker, of MakeItOK.org and Director of
Behavioral Health at HealthPartners, it starts with knowing the
person you’re talking to and knowing yourself. It’s not so much a
matter of picking the right words as it is gaining an
understanding of your friend.


Megan Auster-Rosen, a licensed psychotherapist in Los Angeles,
says it’s important also to know your limitations and respects
someone’s boundaries. Don’t go busting in to solve all their
problems. Maybe just keep your mouth shut once in a while and
learn how to listen a bit more. Depresh Mode burnout episode -
https://maximumfun.org/episodes/depresh-mode/if-youre-miserable-at-work-maybe-its-not-your-fault/


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Hey, remember, you’re part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear
what you want to hear about. What guests and issues would you
like to have covered in a future episode? Write us at
depreshmode@maximumfun.org.


Help is available right away.


The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255,
1-800-273-TALK


Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.


International suicide hotline numbers available
here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines


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