HOW TO talk
ABOUT mental
health
Signs your friend
may be struggling
People experience mental health struggles in different ways. Signs to watch for include acting out of character, losing interest in things they used to enjoy, talking about feeling hopeless, taking unusual risks, or pulling away from family and friends. If any of this sounds familiar, gently check in with your friend—ask how they’re doing and listen without judgment.
They don’t feel like hanging out as much.
They stop caring about things they used to love.
They say things like “I feel empty” or “what’s the point?”
They take risks or act more reckless than usual.
They go quiet—slow replies, missed calls, last-minute cancellations.
They have big changes in sleep, appetite, or basic self-care.
CONVERSATION
STARTERS
Mental health can feel hard to talk about, but these lines can help break the ice.
“Hey, we haven’t talked in a while. How are you?”
“SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVEN’T BEEN YOURSELF LATELY. WHAT’S UP?”
“I’VE NOTICED YOU’VE BEEN DOWN LATEKY. WHAT’S GOING ON?”
“I KNOW YOU’RE GOING THROUGH SOME STUFF. I’M HERE FOR YOU.”
WORDS MATTER.
You’re not alone in what you’re going through.
