Therapist-Recommended Tools to Start a Conversation on Your Mental Health With Your Family

Everyone in the world, at some point, has gone through their own mental health struggles at some point in time. It is something that affects us all, and it is just as important to start a conversation about it within your family. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. 

Despite being so common, starting a conversation about mental health is not easy. It can feel uncomfortable and vulnerable – it might not feel pleasant to talk about your own mental health in front of others; or even admitting that there is a mental health concern. 

And that is completely okay. 

But, remember that having a conversation about mental health, admitting that you’re going through, and starting a conversation about mental health are all signs of strength. If you’re going through something, here are some therapist-recommended tips to get the ball rolling: 

Also read: What to Expect From Therapy for Depression

Find the right time and space

Mental health is a very sensitive topic, and it might not be the greatest idea to bring it up any time. Try to wait for an appropriate time and place where your family members can listen without distractions or worries. This can be on a Sunday night when there is not much happening, or during a family walk, and so on. 

Use a film, or a TV show to get it started

This can serve as a great starting point to understand how your family feels about mental health. It can also allow everyone in your family to start sharing their experiences and how they relate to the characters. For example, if you're watching a film or TV show that deals with a character's struggles with depression, use that as an opportunity to talk about how the character's experiences may relate to your own or your family's experiences.

Here are some examples of films that you can watch with your family: 

• Inside Out (2015): This film explores the emotional life of 11-year-old Riley through the personification of 5 basic emotions: sadness, happiness, anger, fear, and disgust. It can be a great starting point for you to initiate a conversation about depression with your family. 

• Matchstick Men (2003): This film stars Nicolas Cage as Roy, a con-artist that is trying to cope with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It is an honest and realistic interpretation of the challenges that one has to deal with when they are living with this condition. 

• The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012): This coming of age film delicately shows the nuances of coping with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and childhood trauma. It also explores the experience of consulting a psychiatrist—which can serve as a starting point for you to get a conversation started about reaching out to one. 

Also read:Overcoming Depression: How Therapy Helped Me

Encourage open communication

In order for everyone to start talking about their mental health, it is crucial for everyone to feel that it is a safe space. This can mean listening attentively, asking open-ended questions, and not judging people for what they are saying. To listen attentively, you have to be fully into the conversation, and actively listen to what the other person is saying. Try to keep your own thoughts aside, and let the other person speak about their experiences. 

Encourage your family members to be open and honest about their own experiences with mental health. 

Share resources and information

If anyone in your family is struggling with mental health concerns, sharing resources (like articles, blogs, videos, and so on) about mental health can be very helpful. Just make sure that it is from a trusted source and does not spread any misinformation about mental or physical health. You can also look for reliable statistics and studies, which can be an effective way to help them understand the importance of the conversation. But, also be mindful that not everyone may be ready for the information, so avoid pushing it. 

Also read: How Does Therapy Help With Anxiety?

Be ready for some resistance

Being vulnerable around your family might not be the easiest thing to do for most people. Studies also suggest that men are less likely to open up about their mental health struggles – so be ready to be met with some resistance. Your family members might claim that they are okay, that they do not have any concerns at the moment, or they may even joke about it.  In such cases, try to not push for it. Wait for your family member to be ready to speak about their concerns. Let them know that you’re there for them, and that you’re willing to listen, no matter what. 

Be compassionate

Chances are, your family members will probably speak about very intense things during the conversation. These might be things that you had no idea about, or it might even lead to some deep wounds of the past being opened up. Vulnerability is not always the easiest thing, and you might receive some perspectives that you had never considered before. 

In such cases, it is very important to be compassionate, caring, and loving towards your family members. Be there for them, and show your love and support for them. 

Seek professional help

Seeking professional help while dealing with a mental health concern can make all the difference while recovering from a mental health concern. It can include therapy or psychiatric support from an experienced professional. 

Starting a conversation about mental health with your family can be difficult, but it's important to have these conversations in order to better understand and support one another. By using these tools and resources, you can make the conversation easier and more productive. Remember that mental health is an ongoing conversation, and it's important to check in on each other periodically, and always approach the conversation with empathy and understanding. If you think you need help, do not hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional.