Mental Health Conversation Prompts

Starting conversations around mental health can be difficult for all participants.

Most people don’t really want to talk about it. And children engaging in these conversations with their parents are highly likely to downplay the role of mental health in their lives for a variety of reasons.

Listening without judgment and encouraging open dialogue goes a long way. If you feel your emotions rising, it’s ok to pause and tell the other person you’d like to take a moment. Reassure them that you want to hear what they have to say and that it’s ok to have strong feelings, especially in these types of discussions. Never underestimate the power of saying I love you, you matter, and we’re in this together, should the conversation take an unexpected turn.

Should your child talk about a friend, listen carefully to understand if the friend is in fact your child. If it is a friend, it’s important for your child to understand that you do not judge their friend either and that you care. Reinforce the idea that you are there to support them in working through whatever challenge is presented. Caring for a friend experiencing a challenge is difficult to navigate as adults, exponentially more difficult for our children.

The following Mental Health Conversation Starters are written by one of our board members, a culmination of her decades of experience speaking with youth about mental health. These resources will continue to grow over time and are presented in no particular order.

Start the conversation about something other than mental health and work your way into one of the prompts that feels right. Having conversations before you think there might be something going on is excellent, but start where you are and engage as often as possible to encourage open dialogue. Repeat as needed your support and reassure them of your long-term advocacy.

Mental Health Conversation Prompts Part 1

1. What made you come here today?

What’s on your mind lately?

2. What does stigma mean to you?

What does it look like?

What does it feel like?

3. How have you experienced stigma before?

4. How have you ever applied stigma to a person, situation, or idea (It’s okay, we all have!)?

5. What does mental health mean to you?

6. Have you ever struggled with your mental health or known someone who has?

7. Do you think it’s difficult to talk about mental health?

Why?

Why not?

8. How do you care for your mental health?

9. Have you heard that 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health challenge at some point in their lives?

How does it make you feel to learn 1 in 5 people have or will have a mental illness at

some point in their life?

What are ways that you could talk about this with your friends or family?

Have you already talked with friends or family about mental health?

10. Who are some people you feel safe with?

11. Is there anything you would like to talk about?

12. What makes you feel calm?

13. If you could change anything in your life, what would it be?

14. What are you most looking forward to next week?

15. How do you feel about growing up?

What’s exciting?

What’s scary?

16. What’s the vibe today?

17. Did anything make you smile this morning?

18. What’s in your ‘tabs’ these days?

19. Wanna take 3 deep breaths together?

20. What’s the nicest thing you did for yourself lately?

21. What was your week like?

22. Is there anything you need right now?

23. What’s taking up most of your headspace right now?

Have prompts to add or experiences to share? Comment below or email us at rhysaboveorg@gmail.com.