How to Get Comfortable with Talking About Mental Health

The treatment of mental health and its disorders has been a relatively recent thing. Because of this, mental illness is often stigmatized as a problem that doesn’t exist, can be fixed yourself if you “just try hard enough,” or it’s simply your fault for having this illness in the first place.

How can we destigmatize discussion of mental health and educate people that it’s not the fault of the person? Or that trying hard enough may still cause issues? Or that mental disorders do in fact exist?

You’ve probably heard that the best way to destigmatize is to talk about it. But that is easier said than done. How does someone even begin to talk about it?

First and foremost, it might feel uncomfortable, and it is a habit that will need to be built. Telling someone that you are feeling anxious or depressed should be just as easy as it is to say, “my stomach hurts today,” or “I think I’m coming down with a cold.”

Look at like this- you wouldn’t tell someone in a wheelchair to “just stand up.” You don’t judge cancer patients when they’re feeling unwell due to chemo. Just because we can’t put a bandage on our brain, it doesn’t mean that our mental health is less valid than our physical health.

Okay okay, yes it needs to be a habit, but how do you make it a habit?

Start small and be honest. Do the little things like instead of saying “I’m fine,” try expanding a little such as “I’m feeling a little sad today.” You can start simple! It doesn’t have to be a full-on conversation right away.

Try to prepare a few words or a sentence ahead of time that can be said whenever the situation arises. Talk about any personal experiences because even one person who listens and relates to the experience will benefit. Nearly one in five adults in the United States have experienced symptoms of a mental illness- you are not as alone as you think.

This might feel intimidating at first, and it’s valid to worry about what others will think of you. Not everyone will understand- this is why it is so important to start having these open conversations!