If you or a friend need urgent assistance, call 911 immediately, or take your friend directly to the emergency room. If you feel it’s safe, stay with your friend, or find someone to stay with them until help arrives.
CARE T~ ASK
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re challenging you to #CareToAsk.
Loneliness is a global health threat and it’s getting worse. Experts claim that nearly 1 in 4 adults across the world reported feeling very or fairly lonely. But why?
Much of it can be traced back to lack of connection. When feeling lonely, only 38% of Americans will reach out to friends or family. And sadly, more than half of U.S. adults feel less connected with their closest friends and family than they did five years ago.
To encourage deeper connections that reduce loneliness, The Mental Health Coalition is sharing conversation-provoking questions every day in May. We are challenging everyone to care enough to ask, answer and share these questions throughout the month — so we all feel less alone.
daily conversation starters
Ask these questions to someone in your life on each corresponding day in May.
1
What holds you back from deeper conversations?
2
Who makes you feel happy and what is it about them that’s so special?
3
What emotion is hardest for you to express?
4
What’s something new you’d like to try?
5
What is something that always makes you laugh?
6
What’s a song that makes you feel less alone and why?
7
What’s something upcoming that you’re really excited about?
8
What cheers you up?
9
What’s one thing you wish people understood about you?
10
Who has supported you most in your career or life goals?
11
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
12
Who is a woman you look up to and why?
13
What are you grateful for today?
14
When was the last time you felt like a kid?
15
What was a unique experience you had recently?
16
What’s one small action you do to take care of yourself?
17
What was the best text you got this week?
18
Who do you tell first when you get good news, and what was the last thing you shared with them?
19
What’s your comfort TV show and why?
20
What’s a scent you love and what memory does it bring back?
21
What is one thing in the room with you right now that makes you feel happy?
22
Who do you most want to see right now?
23
What’s a song that reminds you of a friend and why?
24
What were your high and low moments this week?
25
What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
26
What movie made a big impact on you and why?
27
What do you do to recharge your social battery?
28
Who (or what) inspires you the most?
29
What are you really proud of in your life right now?
30
What’s one question you wish people asked you more?
31
Which of the last 30 questions sparked the best conversation?
Tips for Feeling Less Alone
Fostering connections can be difficult, and it’s okay if these actions feel scary at first. Give one a try and feel a sense of accomplishment when you do something new in the name of connection.
Follow Your Interests
Take a class in something that’s always intrigued you. You’ll connect with yourself better and maybe even meet some new friends with common interests.
Make the First Move
Strike up a conversation with a stranger. Even short interactions can boost your sense of community.
Be Kind
Perform a random act of kindness. Helping others leads to positive feelings within ourselves, too.
Embrace the Earth
Get outdoors and pay attention to nature. Developing appreciation for the environment is another valuable type of connection.
Put Pen to Paper
You don’t have to connect face-to-face — try writing a letter to someone you’re thankful for.
Take Connections Further
Remind yourself of who you already feel comfortable around, and reach out with one of MHC’s conversation starters above.
RES~URCES
If you would like to learn more, be sure to check out the Mental Health Coalition’s Resource Library for additional information on boosting mental wellbeing.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, use the resources below:
988
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.
Crisis Text Line
Text COALITION to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, helping you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.
Teen Line
Teen Line’s highly trained teen listeners provide support, resources and hope to any teen who is struggling. CALL 800-852-8336 Nationwide (6 PM – 10 PM PST).