Ways To Start A Conversation About Mental Health With The Men In Your Life.

Whether it’s due to a desire to appear strong or simply not being able to find the words to describe how they feel, many men are still choosing to remain silent and not seek help.

You may have spotted some signs that a male friend, husband, brother, or son might be experiencing some mental health issues:

Poor sleep, changes in appetite

Changes in routines that impact their social or work

Withdrawing from people or activities,

appearing numb or feeling flat

disinterest in activities that used to bring them enjoyment

Maybe you are not sure how to start the conversation. We've pulled together a few tips that might help.

Remember it’s not about you, it’s about them

Allow them to talk. Listen to what they have to say before you even attempt to tell them about any issues you've had in the past. The focus needs to be on them and their problems first.

Create a safe space to talk

It’s hard to be vulnerable with the people you love about your mental health. Don’t break this trust. Don’t tell him to ‘man up’, or ‘be a real father’ – that will do more harm than good. Encourage vulnerability as a strength, don’t use manipulative techniques to get them to open up, and support them on the path to healing and recovery.

Do an Activity

Sometimes it’s easier to talk as you walk. Go for a walk and see whether they feel more comfortable while out in the fresh air.

Encourage them to talk to others

Don’t be offended if there are areas of their life that they don’t want to talk to you about. If they don’t feel comfortable, suggest talking to someone else they’d feel more comfortable opening up to. Don’t be defensive about this. The most important thing is that they get the help they need.