Recognising changes in someone’s behaviour and finding the confidence to start a conversation.
MENTAL HEALTH CONVERSATIONS · ARTICLE 1 OF 3
Mental Health Conversations: The Conversations That Matter
This is part 1 of a 3-part article series exploring everyday situations where someone may be struggling with their mental health, and how we can respond.
Imagine working alongside someone you’ve known for years. They’re usually reliable, engaged and easy to get along with. But lately, something has changed.
They’re arriving late, struggling to concentrate, withdrawing from conversations or becoming unusually irritable.
You notice, other people might notice too… but what do you do?
Do you ask whether they’re OK? Do you mind your own business? What if you say the wrong thing? And what if they actually tell you something you don’t know how to respond to?
These are situations that many of us encounter, particularly in the workplace, where professional boundaries and personal wellbeing can sometimes feel difficult to navigate.
You don’t need to be a mental health professional to start a conversation
One of the misconceptions about supporting someone experiencing mental health difficulties is that we need to know what’s wrong before we can help.
But noticing a change and expressing genuine concern doesn’t require a diagnosis.
It requires us to pay attention, approach the person respectfully and be willing to listen.
In the following video from Mental Health First Aid Australia, two colleagues, Gav and Tom, navigate exactly this situation. Let’s take a look:
What makes this conversation interesting?
What stands out in this example isn’t that Gav knows exactly what to say. In fact, some of his attempts to help are initially met with resistance.
When he suggests seeing a doctor, Tom dismisses the idea. When he mentions depression, Tom withdraws from the conversation altogether.
And this is where many people might give up. They might assume they’ve overstepped, that the person doesn’t want help or that it’s better to leave things alone.
But Gav doesn’t turn the conversation into an argument. He gives Tom some space and finds another opportunity to reconnect. It’s a reminder that a meaningful mental health conversation doesn’t always happen in one sitting.
Supporting someone doesn’t mean fixing them
We can sometimes feel enormous pressure to find the right words, offer the right advice or somehow make things better.
But the role of a mental health first aider isn’t to diagnose, provide therapy or take responsibility for another person’s recovery. It’s to recognise when someone may be experiencing difficulties, offer appropriate initial support and encourage professional help when needed.
And perhaps just as importantly, it’s about understanding that the way we approach these conversations matters. Someone who feels judged, dismissed or pressured may become less willing to open up. Someone who feels heard and respected may find it easier to take the next step.
Learning how to have these conversations
Mental Health First Aid training provides practical skills for recognising signs of mental health problems, responding appropriately and supporting people towards professional help.
Just as physical first aid prepares us to respond when someone is injured or unwell, Mental Health First Aid helps us respond when someone may be experiencing mental health difficulties.
Mental Health First Aid training for your organisation
Would your team know how to respond if a colleague was experiencing mental health difficulties?
InteMind Institute will be offering Mental Health First Aid training for organisations from 2027, helping employees and leaders develop practical skills to recognise, approach and support people experiencing mental health problems.
Learn more about our upcoming Mental Health First Aid training →
This article is part of InteMind Institute’s series exploring everyday mental health conversations and how we can respond with greater confidence, understanding and care. Featuring educational video scenarios from Mental Health First Aid Australia.