Starting Conversation
It can be incredibly hard to talk about mental health and especially hard to ask for help. Putting our feelings into words isn’t always easy.
Some people feel embarrassed or awkward. Others feel scared about what might happen to them or someone else if they open up and talk. It can be hard to know where to start, what to say first, how to properly describe what’s going on.
BUT talking is really important.
Sharing how we’re feeling with someone we trust can really help.
Who might you talk to?
Different people help in different ways. You may need someone just to listen or you may need someone who can provide you with professional advice and treatment.
+ Someone in your community
Have a think about speaking to somebody you can trust. This might be a family member, a friend, a work colleague, somebody at your local faith group or any other activities you are involved in.
+ A professional or expert
SortedSupported has put together lots of information about support available to you in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot – for more information please click here.
If you are really concerned about your mental health, you or someone who supports you can call 111 and choosing option 2 to speak to a professional. It is a free service and it operates 24/7. Please click here for more information.
Your GP can also help work out if there are other professional services that might support you.
+ Other people you can talk to
For some people it can be easier to talk to someone by phone or online rather than talking to someone face-to-face.
Sadly there are people online who can take what you share and be unhelpful or hurtful so take some time to decide where might be the safest place.
There are several online services specially designed, which you might want to contact to:
Samaritans
Whatever you’re going through, you can call Samaritans any time, from any phone for FREE.
Call 116 123
Email jo@samaritans.org
C.A.L.L. Mental Health Helpline for Wales
For Mental Health Helpline for Wales offering a confidential listening and support service call 0800 132 737 or text help to 81066.
What might you talk about?
Before you talk to someone it might help to make a plan of what you want to say. SortedSupported gives some suggestions on ways to make this easier.
+ Planning what to say
- Break it down. Write a list with the following headings; I Feel, I Wish, I Think, I Need, I Hope. See what comes to mind when you write down each one.
- DocReady have put together some tools that will help you prepare for the first time you visit a doctor to discuss your mental health.
- If writing things down seems too hard, consider recording your feelings. Most mobile phones have this function or there are voice recorder apps.
+ Different reactions
- A doctor or other professional may ask you lots of questions. This can feel like a lot but they just want to make sure that they can give you the best advice.
- If you’ve decided to share your feelings with someone in your community, they may not know how to react at first. Give them a little time; what you’ve shared may come as a surprise to them.
- Sometimes the first person we speak to might not give us the support we need. If that happens, you want to consider speaking to someone else as they may not to know how to help you.