Page 76 - Print21 Nov-Dec 2019

Business
Simple Conversations
parties, gym, shopping, or having a quiet beer with a mate. There is no inappropriate time to have a chat, as long as you have the time and a safe place to have it.
Here are a few simple ways to start the #letstalk conversation:
• “I read an article the other day
about mental health. Surprisingly, 45 per cent of all Australians will struggle with a mental health condition in their life. If you or anyone you may know of needs to talk, please know I’m here to listen and support you.”
• “Guys, did you know one in
eight of us men suffer from
either anxiety or depression in a 12-month period? Boys, you know if any of you need to talk I am always here. I’m not going to judge, just help.”
• “Girls, did you know one in five women suffer from either anxiety or depression in a 12-month period? Please know that if you ever feel the need to chat, I’m here for you. I’ll never judge, I’m just here to help and support you.”
• “Babe, I’ve noticed that you haven’t been yourself lately. I want you to know that I’m here for you, just as you would be there for me. We’re a team and there is nothing we can’t talk about or resolve together.”
You may end up having these #letstalk conversation starters with ten, twenty or more family and friends, however all you need is just one person to stop and think “They are really genuine, I’m comfortable to reach out to them and talk”, and you have made a world of difference in their life.
If you do have someone reach out to you don’t panic. Let them know that you are there to support them and be by their side. Make
an appointment to see their local GP and show your support by going along to the appointment. The GP will help set up a plan to address their current situation.
It’s important to remember that mental health issues are medical conditions that can be treated with consultation and planning from medical professionals. 21
Start conversations: Steve Gamble, Man Anchor
Steve Gamble from men’s mental health group Man Anchor says we can all play a part in helping our friends, family and colleagues face their issues.
What would you say if I told you that you could potentially change a friend
or loved one’s life forever – or even save their life.
You may ask me are you serious? How?
The fact is we all can make a difference, by starting simple conversations with our friends and family about mental health.
It is a frightening statistic that
in any 12 month period one in
eight men and one in five women will struggle with either anxiety
or depression. Knowing these statistics, stop for a second and think about the people in your life. There is a high chance that someone close to you is living with a mental health condition.
Many of us assume that the
people in our lives know we are there for them if they ever need to talk. However, the truth is, in most cases people struggling with mental health conditions are so overwhelmed by their situation they cannot see that you are there to help.
I was once told by someone who had lived with depression to squint my eyes and block my ears. He started talking to me. The sound was muffled, my sight was blurred and
unclear. He then proceeded to say, “That’s what it was like for me”.
He believed he had people there for him, but just didn’t know who, or how to ask for help? That was until he had a friend reach out to him and say they had noticed changes in him, they were concerned, and were there to listen, support, and stand by him.
In a similar way to the random nature of cancer, mental health conditions can affect anyone, no-one is immune. You may have people in your life that on the outside may appear to have the perfect life, however, everyday life pressures
can affect anyone.
“In most cases people struggling with mental health conditions are so overwhelmed by their situation they cannot see that you are there to help.”
So what can we do? Start conversations with our friends and loved ones about mental health. We can have open discussions about
the facts of mental health, and let our family and friends know that if they ever feel the need to talk, you are there to listen and support. The “I’m here” conversation can happen anywhere – kid’s sports days, dinner
76 Print21 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019