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/Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun. 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 [email protected] is available right away.The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALKCrisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlinesThe Depresh Mode newsletter is available twice a week. Subscribe for free and stay up to date on the show and mental health issues. https://johnmoe.substack.com/John's acclaimed memoir, The Hilarious World of Depression, is available here.Find the show on Twitter @depreshpod and Instagram @depreshpod.John is on Twitter @johnmoe.

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