It's Time to Normalize Conversations About Mental Health
You’re at a festive holiday party on a Saturday night and you see a friend standing by himself on the back porch, nursing a drink, looking despondent. Which of the following do you do? 1. Leave the person alone. If he wanted to talk to someone, he would join you or others in conversation. 2. Think up some jokes and interesting stories to share, mosey on outside, and approach him with the intention of cheering him up. 3. Or, instead, say hi and ask him something like, “How are you doing?” or “Are you OK?” And then, listen. Really, listen.