Why Talking About Your Mental Health Can Help

Why Talking About Your Mental Health Can Help​

Talking about your mental health isn't always easy. You might know that you're struggling, but finding the words to explain what you're feeling can be difficult. Sometimes you don't even know exactly what is wrong. You just know that you're tired, overwhelmed, anxious, low, angry, disconnected or finding everyday life harder than usual.

Being able to talk about mental health can be an important part of feeling less alone.

That doesn't mean talking will instantly make everything better. It doesn't mean you have to tell everyone what you're going through. And it doesn't mean you need to have a diagnosis before you're allowed to ask for support.

Sometimes, simply putting difficult thoughts into words is a useful place to start.

Why is talking about mental health so difficult?​

Many people worry about being judged when they talk about their mental health.

You might worry that people won't understand. You might be concerned about becoming a burden, appearing weak, or making other people uncomfortable. You might even wonder whether your problems are serious enough to talk about.

These worries can make it tempting to keep everything to yourself.

But mental health difficulties are not always obvious from the outside. Someone can look completely fine while privately dealing with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, stress, loneliness or overwhelming thoughts.

You don't have to wait until things become unbearable before talking about them.

Talking can help you make sense of what you're feeling​

When thoughts stay in your head, they can sometimes feel like one enormous problem.

Writing them down or talking them through can help separate those thoughts into individual pieces.

Perhaps you're stressed about work.

Perhaps you're having problems in a relationship.

Perhaps you've been sleeping badly and feeling exhausted.

Perhaps you're constantly worrying about something that hasn't happened yet.

Perhaps you simply don't feel like yourself.

Putting those experiences into words can sometimes make it easier to understand what is actually bothering you.

You don't need to know exactly what's wrong​

One of the biggest misconceptions about asking for mental health support is that you need to understand your problem before you can talk about it.

You don't.

You can say:

"I don't know what's happening to me."

You can say:

"I've been feeling really low lately."

You can say:

"My anxiety has been getting worse."

You can say:

"Everything feels like too much."

Those are all valid starting points.

You don't need the perfect explanation, the right terminology or a diagnosis before you deserve to be heard.

Talking to someone who understands​

Sometimes friends and family are the first people we turn to when we're struggling. But there are also times when talking to someone outside your immediate circle feels easier.

A mental health forum can provide a space where people share experiences of anxiety, depression, stress, panic, loneliness and other difficult periods in their lives.

You may discover that something you thought was unique to you is something other people have experienced too.

That doesn't make your experience any less personal. It can simply remind you that you aren't the only person trying to deal with something difficult.

You can talk without having all the answers​

Mental health conversations aren't always about finding a solution.

Sometimes you need advice.

Sometimes you want another perspective.

Sometimes you want somebody to listen.

And sometimes you just need to write down what has been going through your head.

There is value in all of those things.

A supportive mental health community can give people somewhere to have those conversations without expecting them to arrive with everything worked out.

What if you're worried about being judged?​

Fear of judgement is one of the reasons people often hide how they're feeling.

You might worry that someone will think you're overreacting.

You might worry that your problems aren't important enough.

You might worry that people will treat you differently after you tell them.

These concerns can make opening up difficult.

Remember that you get to decide what you're comfortable sharing and when you're comfortable sharing it. You don't have to tell your entire story in one conversation.

You can start with one small thing.

Online mental health support​

For some people, an online mental health community can feel easier than talking face-to-face.

You have time to think about what you want to say. You can write something, read it again and change it before posting. You can also read other people's experiences before deciding whether you want to participate.

An online mental health forum can be particularly useful for people who feel nervous about starting a conversation or who don't feel ready to talk to someone they know personally.

It can also provide a place to return to when you're having a difficult day.

You can listen too​

Supporting your mental health doesn't always mean posting your own story.

Reading about other people's experiences can sometimes be helpful in itself.

You might recognise something in another person's experience.

You might learn a different way of looking at a problem.

You might realise that somebody else has experienced the same thoughts or feelings.

Or you might simply find comfort in knowing that other people are having difficult days too.

There is no requirement to be the person who always has something to say.

When talking isn't enough​

Talking can be helpful, but it isn't a replacement for professional mental health care when you need it.

If you're experiencing persistent or severe symptoms, or your mental health is affecting your ability to function day to day, consider speaking with a GP or qualified mental health professional.

If you're in immediate danger or believe you might hurt yourself or somebody else, seek urgent help through the appropriate emergency or crisis service in your area.

A mental health forum can provide peer support and human connection, but it shouldn't be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice.

You don't have to wait for the perfect moment​

There is rarely a perfect time to start talking about mental health.

You might not have the right words.

You might not understand exactly how you feel.

You might be worried that somebody won't understand.

That's okay.

Start with what you do know.

"I'm struggling."

"I'm feeling overwhelmed."

"I don't feel like myself."

"I need somewhere to talk."

Sometimes that's enough to begin.

A place to talk​

TalkMH is a mental health support forum where people can talk about what they're going through, share experiences and connect with others.

Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, panic attacks, loneliness, relationship problems, work pressure or simply having a difficult time, you can find conversations covering a wide range of mental health experiences.

You don't have to have everything figured out.

You can talk, listen, read or simply take things at your own pace.