For moments when a listening ear is all we need

It’s not just our physical health that’s at risk in this pandemic. There’s the fear of isolation, anxiety over the unexpected, and worries about possible causes for infection. All these combined with the general deviation from the comfort we get from our routines have become a burden to our mental health. In relation to mental health challenges, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that suicide incidents actually rose 25.7% in 2020 and it has become the 27th leading cause of death in 2020 up from 31st in 2019.

Today, discussing issues like mental health has become less taboo, but the challenge of recognizing when you need help and the difficulty of asking for it remains the same.

In partnership with Project Inclusion and WeMind, we at AXA are sharing some tips that can help in preparing yourself to reach out and have that conversation with family, friends, or any individual who can help provide the support you need.

Set up the conversation
Begin the conversation by sharing the general idea of what you want to talk about. Let the person know that what you are about to tell them is serious and important to you.

Write it out
Concretizing thoughts through writing can help you show what you are feeling and experiencing more clearly. Gathering your thoughts ahead of time may help you say what you want to and how you want to.

Use examples
Provide details about what you are going through to help the other person understand and empathize with what you are facing. If you live with a mental health condition, use examples to help them understand what it’s like to experience it.

Tell them how they can help
Think about how you personally want to address your concern. Let the person know what support you need and what they can do to help.

Ask that person to help you talk to others
Having someone by your side can make all the difference when having this conversation. If you want to open up to other people about your mental health, ask the person to be there when you tell others who might not be as understanding.

Project Inclusion Network is a non-profit organization that aims to build a nation where the potential of Persons with Disability is realized. It enables communities to improve access to opportunities for Persons with Disabilities by empowering them, enabling disability inclusion, and engaging strategic sectors of society.

AXA Philippines recognizes how addressing mental health is just as important as looking out for your physical health. It supports initiatives that help people deal with mental health issues and challenges.