Break the Awkward: How to Start Meaningful Mental Health Chats
Because staying silent is riskier than getting it a little wrong.
We all want to support our colleagues when we notice they’re not themselves. But when it comes to mental health conversations at work, many people freeze.
It’s not because they don’t care—it’s because they’re scared of getting it wrong.
They worry about overstepping, making it awkward, or not knowing what to say if someone opens up.
So instead of reaching out, they stay silent.
And that silence? It’s loud.
It tells the person, “No one notices.” or worse, “No one knows how to help.”
But here’s the truth: these conversations don’t have to be perfect. They just need to happen.
Why Mental Health Conversations Feel So Awkward at Work
Workplaces have come a long way in recognising mental health as a priority.
We roll out wellbeing initiatives, encourage EAP use, and host awareness sessions. But when it comes down to one-on-one, human conversations, we still get stuck.
Why? Because it’s personal.
Because we don’t want to offend.
Because we’re unsure where the line is between supportive and intrusive.
And because, honestly, it feels safer to avoid awkwardness altogether.
But avoiding these conversations sends a message too.
It tells people they need to keep pushing, even when they’re not coping.
The Power of Small, Human Check-ins
Starting a conversation about mental health doesn’t need to be a formal sit-down. In fact, the most meaningful check-ins often happen in casual moments—a coffee run, a passing chat, a “how’s your week been?” that goes a bit deeper.
You don’t need special words. You just need to show you care.
It could be as simple as:
“I noticed you’ve been a bit quiet lately. How are you going?”
Or:
“You’ve had a lot on your plate—how are you holding up?”
What matters is your tone. If it’s genuine and without pressure, you’ve done the most important part: you’ve opened the door.
It’s Okay to Be Awkward (It’s Worse to Be Absent)
Here’s the thing—mental health conversations will sometimes feel a little awkward. But that awkwardness is far less harmful than saying nothing.
People don’t expect you to have all the answers. They don’t need you to be a mental health expert.
What they need is someone who notices. Someone who listens. Someone who makes it okay to not be okay.
And when you’re not sure how to start? Honesty helps. Saying, “I wasn’t sure how to bring this up, but I just wanted to check in,” is often enough.
What Happens After You Start?
Sometimes, the person will open up.
Other times, they might not be ready. Both outcomes are fine.
The key is to remind them they’re not alone, and that you’re available if they want to chat later. Just knowing someone’s in their corner can make a huge difference.
If they do share, keep it simple. Listen, thank them for trusting you, and support them in finding the next steps—whether that’s taking a break, adjusting workload, or pointing them towards professional help.
There’s no script for these conversations.
What people remember isn’t the exact words you said—it’s how you made them feel.
When we normalise these chats, even in the smallest ways, we build workplaces where people feel safe to be human. And that’s where real wellbeing starts.