It’s Start the Conversation Day!

It’s July 3, and that means it’s Start the Conversation Day! This day serves as a reminder to check in with ourselves and loved ones. We live in a world where mental health is finally being addressed and illnesses acknowledged at last.

This awareness has revealed that many people live with some form of mental illness. Mental Health America (MHA) has the statistics on how America is doing, and it’s not great. According to MHA’s data on the prevalence of mental illness for 2023, the majority of America is suffering.

As such, Start the Conversation Day encourages everyone to connect with friends and family as a reminder that we care about each other’s well-being. It might feel awkward at first and many may feel like they’re only being a bother, but today’s the day when we can set aside our reservations. If you’re thinking about someone, chances are, they’ve been thinking about you and worrying similarly!

So take a chance and initiate open and honest conversations! Let’s create a supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions.

Caring About Your Mental Health

It might seem small, but caring for our mental health improves the quality of life. It changes how we view the day, the people, the activities. The quality of our mental health also plays a crucial role in our physical health.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), depression can lead to several chronic issues. The CDC cited diabetes, heart disease, and stroke as examples of what poor mental health can cause. Such hardships are only a few reasons why Start the Conversation Day has taken root.

The innovator of Start the Conversation Day hoped it would play a significant role in improving everyone’s mental health. Though unknown, it’s clear they wanted people to foster positive connections and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. They understood the importance of having compassion for everyone and how much good a conversation could bring to a person’s life.

How to Hold Conversations

Sometimes, we struggle to start the conversation, and that’s okay. We don’t always know what to say or how to say it. Here are a few examples of how to get started:

1. Avoid asking “yes” or “no” questions. You want to know how they’re doing, so start by asking about them. “What have you watched or listened to lately?” or “Where would you like to go to eat?” You can learn a lot about a person’s head space by simple questions like these.
2. A good conversation isn’t just ask a question and receive an answer. Connect with the other through interests and experiences. For instance, you could say, “I finally read the book I’ve been meaning to get to. Do you have any recommendations?”
3. When in doubt, genuine compliments will take you far. You could comment on their clothes, their hair, their beaming smile, or bounce in their step. If you know something big that happened in their life that they’re proud of, bring it up and share that pride with them.

Remember that conversations naturally have breaks, so respect that silence. We don’t have to fill the silence every second of the conversation. Take a breather, reflect on the conversation and check in with yourself. It’s easier to find the words when you give yourself time to find them.

Start the Conversation!

On Start the Conversation Day, take that step and reach out to someone! Initiate that conversation you’ve been meaning to have, starting small and delving into topics naturally. Even just the acknowledgement of missing the other goes a long way to mental health.

A simple conversation can significantly improve our mental health. It provides an opportunity to share experiences, seek guidance, and offer support. So, reach out to your friends, family, and even new acquaintances. Let them know you care and will listen.

Start the Conversation Day empowers us to break down the barriers surrounding mental health, encouraging open and meaningful dialogue that can make the difference in our lives. Contribute to a healthier, more compassionate society and Start the Conversation.