Simple Words That Open a Difficult Door
Launch library · evergreen read
Complicated language can get in the way of an honest conversation. Plain, direct phrases, such as asking how someone has really been or noticing aloud that they have seemed different lately, often work better than carefully constructed speeches prepared in advance. This is one of those situations where showing up matters more than saying the right thing.
Simple words also make room for the other person to answer honestly, rather than to reassure you that everything is fine. Asking a follow up question, like what has that been like for you, shows that you are genuinely interested in the answer rather than simply performing concern.
If the conversation opens up something serious, gentle honesty still applies: you can say plainly that support exists. Lifeline is available on 13 11 14 at any hour, and Beyond Blue offers support on 1300 22 4636. A steady, ordinary approach tends to work better here than a dramatic one.