Topics mentioned: supporting a friend with their mental health, reaching out for help
About: Opening up to somebody about your mental health can be scary, even if it's somebody you trust. One of our Activists, Tara, 16, explains how her mum made the process easier, and shares her tips for how to be a good listener.
She made me feel normal and gave me hope that I could feel better again.
I’m Tara, a 16-year-old Activist for YoungMinds. I've struggled with depression and anxiety since I was 14, when it began following a bad case of glandular fever. I went from being a very bubbly person who was always energetic and up for anything, to someone who barely left the house and spent the majority of their free time crying.
I didn’t notice the transition myself, because it was something that happened over an extended period of time. So, although I didn’t feel like myself, I wouldn’t have categorised myself as ‘depressed’, and didn’t think I needed to ‘open up’ about how I was feeling.
This casual chat evolved into a big conversation where I opened up completely and talked about everything I was feeling.
A few weeks after this began, my mum approached me and casually mentioned that it seemed like I wasn’t myself. I don’t think I’d realised until she said this how unwell I’d become.
I’d been putting my emotions down to being frustrated that I couldn’t exercise, instead of thinking it was possible my mental health had deteriorated alongside my physical health.
This casual chat evolved into a big conversation where I opened up completely and talked about everything I was feeling. Together we worked out what to do to help get me feeling better - starting with a trip to the GP.
Hearing her describe things she has felt herself made me feel less alone.
My mum was a great listener because she made me feel normal and gave me hope that I could feel better again. She’s struggled with depression in the past, and I think this helped me talk to her.
She could relate to what I was going through and was able to help me make sense of what I was feeling. Hearing her describe things she has felt herself made me feel less alone as I realised the amount of people that must be feeling the same way as me.
Opening up about your mental health is a big step to recovery, as it helps you realise how many people you have supporting you.
I talked to my mum about my fear of being judged for taking medication for my mental health. She explained how this was no different to taking medication for a physical health condition, which made me feel a lot better.
Mental ill-health is not something to be ashamed of. It can be helped by medication and talking therapy, like a broken leg can be fixed with a cast and physiotherapy.
Opening up about your mental health is a big step to recovery, as it helps you realise how many people you have supporting you. Also, talking about your mental health lifts a weight off your shoulders, as you realise that you’re not alone and many people will be there for you while you get better.
If someone opens up to you about their mental health, here are the things I think you can do to be a great listener, like my mum was.
Five ways to be a good listener
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Give the person speaking your full attention
Keep phones away and focus on what they’re saying. Also make sure you remind them of the confidentiality you’ll keep after the conversation, so they feel confident they can be completely open.
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Empathise with them
Relating to them will help them feel less alone. Remind them that others go through the same things.
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Be an active listener
Give them space to talk, but interact by asking questions and giving advice to show you’re interested and that you care.
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Be encouraging
Try to point out positives in what they’re saying, without belittling them. For example, if someone opens up about depression, understand the seriousness of it, Emphasise that they’ll get better, and be a stronger, more resilient person.
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Follow up the conversation afterwards
Give them a text or call a few days after to show them you care and have understood everything they told you. Check how their situation is progressing, and remind them that you’ll always be there to support them.
Tara is one of our YoungMinds Activists. To find out more about our Activist programme, check out our page on becoming a YoungMinds Activist.
More information and advice
We have tips and advice to help you find the support you need. Take a look at our guides.
Read more blogs from young people
Where to get help
However you're feeling, there are people who can help you if you are struggling. Here are some services that can support you.
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The Mix
Free, short-term online counselling for young people aged 25 or under. Their website also provides lots of information and advice about mental health and wellbeing.
Email support is available via their online contact form.
They have a free 1-2-1 webchat service available during opening hours.
- Opening times:
- 4pm - 11pm, Monday - Friday
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Childline
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
- Opening times:
- 24/7
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Tellmi
Formerly known as MeeToo. A free app for teenagers (11+) providing resources and a fully-moderated community where you can share your problems, get support and help other people too.
Can be downloaded from Google Play or App Store.