When you are struggling with stress, anxiety, or personal challenges, talking to someone you trust can provide connection and hope. Sharing your experiences with a trusted person can help you process difficult emotions, gain new perspectives, and feel less alone.
The benefits of talking to a trusted person
Opening up to someone about your feelings and emotions may feel like a hard thing to do. You might be worried about how to start the conversation or have concerns about being misunderstood or judged. You may also be unsure whether someone has the time to listen or cares about your situation.
However, overcoming your worries and talking to someone you trust is worth the effort. Talking to a trusted person can help you:
- Understand your feelings more clearly.
- Reduce the sense of isolation that often accompanies difficult experiences.
- Break down complex problems into more manageable parts.
- Provide potential insights or coping strategies.
- Provide stress relief.
Choosing the right person to talk to
To find the right person to talk to, list people you trust. Consider a family member, friend, mentor, community leader, teacher, counsellor, or a GP.
If you are unsure whether you have selected the best person to speak to, you can start by sharing something small and seeing how it goes. If the person is a good listener, is respectful, and the conversation feels comfortable, you can share more the next time you speak.
You can also talk to a counsellor on a helpline such as CAREinMIND on 1300 096 269. If you are outside the North Western Melbourne PHN region, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Having the conversation
Once you have decided who you want to talk to, below are some tips to help you get ready:
Preparing for the conversation
Before you meet, take time to think about:
- Your primary focus for the conversation. For example, clarifying your biggest concern, why it bothers you, and how it makes you feel.
- The type of support you are seeking. For example, listening, guidance, or support to take the next steps.
- When is the right time to have the conversation. For example, you want to pick a time when the person can give you their full attention.
- Where you should have the conversation. For example, sitting down face-to-face, on the phone, or during an activity like going for a walk.
Communicate clearly
Communicate clearly by using straightforward language that explains what you are experiencing. One way to do this is by using “I” statements. For example:
- “I have some things on my mind. Can we have a chat?”
- “I’m experiencing difficulty with…”
- “I’m struggling to manage…”
- “I wanted to let you know that…”
- “I need some support with…”
You can also let the person know the type of support you are seeking, whether it’s listening, advice or help.
What to do if it doesn’t go as planned
If the person you chose did not react as expected or wasn’t a good listener, don’t bottle up your feelings. Instead, regroup and find someone else you can talk to.
You can also connect with free helplines, mental health services, and your GP for help and support. When talking to a health professional, be open and honest about what is happening and how it affects you so that they can offer you the best support.
Here are some services you can reach out to:
- CAREinMIND 1300 096 269 – free phone and online counselling for people in north, western and central Melbourne.
- Medicare Mental Health – a free service that connects you with the mental health support that is right for you.
- Healthdirect – a health service directory that includes GPs.
If you are struggling and need to reach out to a mental health professional, our CAREinMIND counsellors are here 24/7. Call 1300 096 269 or click the floating chat button on the right. The service is free for people in north, western and central Melbourne.
The CAREinMIND blog is delivered by Lifeline. The views in each post do not necessarily reflect those of North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network.