Finding Words When You Do Not Know What to Say
Starting conversations, about 1 minute
There are moments when concern is obvious but the right words simply will not come. In these moments, honesty about that difficulty can actually be the opening line itself, rather than something to hide behind silence. Nobody expects this to be handled flawlessly, only handled with genuine care.
Saying plainly that you are not sure how to say this, but you have been worried about them, removes the pressure to sound eloquent and instead centres the sincerity of the moment. Most people respond more to genuine care than to polished phrasing. This is worth keeping in mind on days when everything else feels uncertain.
If the conversation moves toward something serious, Lifeline is available on 13 11 14 at any hour, and Beyond Blue offers support on 1300 22 4636. Patience with this process tends to be rewarded over time. This matters just as much for the person offering it as for the person receiving it.
Printed from suicide ends. If you need to talk to someone now, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency.