HOW TO TALK
AB~UT MENTAL
HEALTH

Signs of mental health issues How to start a conversation Brought to you by Brought to you by The Mental Health Coalition's Language Guide

Signs your friend
may be struggling

Everybody experiences mental health issues in different ways. Some common signs of distress may include: not acting like they normally do, a loss of interest in the things they used to enjoy, talking about feelings of hopelessness, being more reckless, or isolating from family and friends.

1
They don’t feel like hanging out as much.
2
Their mind seems to be somewhere else.
3
They’re negative about life.
4
They’re not acting like themselves and are more irritable than usual.
5
They take more risks than usual.
6
They talk about feeling hopeless.

Conversation
starters

Sometimes mental health discussions can be tricky.
Try one of these opening lines to get the conversation moving:

"Hey, we haven’t talked in a while. How are you?"
"Seems like you haven’t been yourself lately. What’s up?"
"I know you’re going through some stuff. I’m here for you."
"I’ve noticed you’ve been down lately. What’s going on?"
"No matter what you're going through, I've got your back."
"Is there anything you want to talk about?"
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For more information, visit
For more information, visit

Words matter.

We’re here to provide you with some helpful tools and hints to feel confident talking about mental health:

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Help
empower
people.

Tip #1

Stop the
shame.

Tip #2

Be
sensitive.

Tip #3

Get
specific.

Tip #4

You
do
you.

Tip #5

Help
empower
people.

Tip #1

Stop the
shame.

Tip #2

Be
sensitive.

Tip #3

Get
specific.

Tip #4

You
do
you.

Tip #5

Download full Language Guide
In an emergency

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.

In a crisis

You are never alone. Help is always available. For immediate support 24/7, reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting COALITION to 741741, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. It’s free and it’s highly confidential, unless it’s essential to contact emergency services to keep you or your friend safe.

PE~PLE
ARE SHARING.

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IN AN
EMERGENCY

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.

Call 911

IN A
CRISIS

You are never alone. Help is always available. For immediate support 24/7, reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting COALITION to 741741, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. It’s free and it’s highly confidential, unless it’s essential to contact emergency services to keep you or your friend safe.

988

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