Here are some helpful tips for starting the conversation.
Meet the ambassadors: AJ Clementine (LGBTQ+ Advocate, Author and Model), Dominic Porras (LGBTQ+ Advocate, Content Creator and Makeup-Artist), Brooke Blurton (Youth Worker, Mental Health Advocate and Author) and Olivia Anderson (Mother of Four and Content Creator) have bravely lent their voices and their stories for Maybelline New York’s Brave Together mental health initiative, in partnership with ReachOut.
Young Australians living with a mental health difficulty aren’t getting the support they need. This is a contributing factor to suicide, which remains the leading cause of death for Australians aged 14-25.
In order to promote more conversations around mental health, Maybelline New York has launched a global initiative – Brave Together – to destigmatise anxiety and depression and make support for mental health accessible to all.
Partnering with ReachOut, Australia’s leading online youth mental health service, the initiative aims to help young people and families better understand and navigate mental health challenges by providing effective and research-driven digital mental health support, aiming to always make that support available in a way that’s relevant, accessible and innovative.
PeerChat is a new text-based support service for 18–25-year-olds that connects a young person experiencing mental health challenges with a peer worker who can provide support based on their own experience. The service is free, confidential and can be accessed anywhere in Australia on weekdays between 1-8pm AEST. Find out more HERE.
With Maybelline’s brand purpose focusing on giving everyone self-confidence to express themselves, this commitment to destigmatising mental health has seen them create their Brave Together platform. This platform seeks to provide awareness and is committed to supporting young people in Australia experiencing mental health challenges – supporting one million conversations in a five year period. And it’s needed: many people living with mental health conditions don’t feel comfortable talking to their friends and family about what they’re experiencing.
“This campaign is so special to me, helping young Australians struggling with their mental health. As someone who’s experienced anxiety, it’s been amazing to work alongside Maybelline and ReachOut to help raise awareness for their amazing resources available for those going through a tough time,” explains Maybelline local spokesperson, Brooke Blurton.
Before you decide to help someone else, ask yourself if you feel prepared and whether you can find the right setting. Here are some helpful tips for starting the conversation.
Start the conversation
The idea of asking someone how they are might seem like small talk, something that can easily be brushed aside in conversations with close friends and family. But how many of us actually take the time to stop and consider the question and what it’s really asking? How many of us are actually granted the time and safe space to answer it honestly, without fear of judgment?
Here are three to try:
“It worries me to hear you talking like this. Let’s talk to someone about it”
“I’ve noticed you’re [sleeping more, eating less etc.], is everything ok today?”
“I’ve noticed you haven’t been acting like yourself lately. Is something going on?”
During the conversation
Utilise language that shows your support – stay engaged with phrases that will help you to demonstrate patience and understanding. Here are some examples:
“I really want to help, what can I do to help you right now?”
“Let’s sit down together and look for places to get help. I can go with you too.”
“Would you like me to go with you to a support group or a meeting? Do you need a lift to any of your appointments?”
Show that you care
Your friend may feel alone; check in regularly and include your friend in plans. However, also be understanding if they don’t want to be part of those plans. Make sure to tell them that having a mental condition does not change the way you feel about them and help and support are out there.
After the conversation
Mental health is an ongoing journey – stay engaged with the individual regularly via text, phone or in person check-ins and continue to remind them that you are there for them and support them. You can also consult the resources highlighted in the explore resources section with tools on how to help yourself or someone else.
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Anxiety and depression can make us feel alone. But when we raise our hands and ask for help, we can be BRAVE TOGETHER. Find out more here.
Source @womenshealth.com.au: Read more at : womenalive.org
