Speaking Out on Mental Health: Why We Need to Keep Talking About It
- Justine Martin
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
Because resilience isn’t silence, it’s honesty, courage, and connection.
For years, society told us to “stay strong,” to keep calm and carry on. We were taught that speaking about mental health made us vulnerable, emotional, or weak. But over time, many of us have learned that silence doesn’t make us strong, it makes us stuck.
True resilience isn’t about holding it all together. It’s about finding the courage to speak up when your world feels like it’s falling apart.
When Strength Becomes Silence
Many people equate resilience with endurance, pushing through no matter what, never asking for help, never letting anyone see the struggle. But that kind of strength comes at a cost.
When we bury what we’re feeling, those emotions don’t disappear; they simply find new ways to surface, through exhaustion, burnout, anxiety, or even physical illness. The truth is, we all have limits. Admitting that doesn’t make you weak; it makes you self-aware.
For some, it might look like quietly withdrawing. For others, it might show up as anger, overworking, or avoiding rest. But behind all of that is a simple truth: humans are not machines. We break. We bend. And we heal, but only when we acknowledge what’s really going on inside.
The Power of Conversation
There’s a powerful shift that happens the moment you say out loud, “I’m not okay.” It opens a door, not just for you, but for others too.
Talking about mental health removes shame from the equation. It tells people, “You’re not alone.” And when we normalise those conversations, we create spaces where empathy can replace judgment.
Think about how many times someone has told you, “I’m fine,” when you knew they weren’t. Imagine if they felt safe enough to tell the truth. Imagine how many people could heal sooner if they didn’t have to hide behind strength.
Resilience Through Honesty
Resilience isn’t built by pretending. It’s built by honesty, compassion, and self-awareness. When you talk about what you’re going through, whether it’s burnout, anxiety, grief, or loneliness, you’re actually taking back your power.
Honesty helps you:
Understand your triggers. Naming what’s happening is the first step to managing it.
Prevent burnout. You catch the warning signs before you hit breaking point.
Build connection. Sharing your truth draws the right people closer to you.
Model resilience. When others see you being real, they learn that it’s safe to do the same.
We often think we need to “fix” ourselves before speaking up, but that’s not true. Speaking up is part of the healing. It’s the bridge between breakdown and recovery.
Creating a Culture of Support
Mental health conversations shouldn’t only happen in counselling sessions or crisis moments. They should happen everywhere, at work, over coffee, around the dinner table, and within ourselves.
Imagine workplaces where people could say, “I’m overwhelmed today,” without fear of judgment. Imagine families where children grow up seeing adults prioritise rest and self-care.
That’s the kind of cultural change resilience mindset is all about, creating communities that support wellbeing, not just performance.
Small Steps That Make a Big Difference
If you’re not sure how to start speaking out about mental health, start small:
Acknowledge how you feel. You can’t heal what you refuse to face.
Tell someone you trust. Sharing reduces shame and builds safety.
Reach out early. Don’t wait until you’re at breaking point.
Set healthy boundaries. Saying no is self-care, not selfishness.
Check in on others. Sometimes the strongest people are the ones silently struggling.
It’s also okay to not know what to say, listening without judgment is one of the most powerful acts of kindness there is.
Final Thoughts
Talking about mental health isn’t about seeking attention. It’s about seeking connection. It’s about saying, “I’m human, and I’m trying my best.”
When we speak up, we take away the power of shame. We help others see that it’s okay to ask for help, to rest, to pause, and to heal.
Resilience isn’t about pretending you’re fine, it’s about facing the hard stuff with honesty and grace. Because when you give voice to your struggles, you don’t just heal yourself, you give others permission to do the same.
So let’s keep talking. Let’s keep listening. And let’s never stop reminding each other that we’re stronger together.
Want to strengthen your mental resilience and wellbeing? Explore our workshops, one-on-one coaching, and resources designed to help you thrive, not just survive.
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