This document discusses best practices for talking about and supporting mental health. It provides guidance on using experiential language to describe personal experiences, asking direct questions if a crisis is suspected, and offering support through scripts. The scripts cover asking for support, offering support, explaining feelings, and casual check-ins. Different types of interactions are outlined, such as asking for future help, responding in a crisis, and normal conversations. Resources for mental health information and support are also listed.

1. LET’S TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
Art Doler - @arthurdoler
EXPERIENTIAL LANGUAGE
Experiential language:
 Focuses on what’s happeningto an individual
 Describes and delineates
 Based on personal truth of the individual
 Emotional
 Can encourage self-directed action and self-responsibility
DEALING WITH CRISIS
 Get the facts.ASK.
o Don’t assumesomeone is safe.
o Don’t assumesomeone is not safe.
 If you have a clear,unambiguous statement of intent to causeharmto self or others, CALL FOR HELP.
RULE 0
The end goal is notto solve or fix anything.
SCRIPTS
ASKING SCRIPT
“I could really usesome support. Can you please[helpful action here]?”
OR
“I don’t know if you knew this, but I deal with (or am havingproblems with) [a specific kind of experience]. You’ve
been helpful to me in the past;would itbe okay in the future if ask you to [actionablething] when [event happens]?”
OFFERING SCRIPT
“I noticed that [behavioral observation here].
Can we talk about it?”
THEN
“Do you think you could use[action here]? Can I help providethat?”

2. EXPLANATION SCRIPT
“When [event happens], I [sometimes, often, always] feel like [insert feelings here]. To cope with that, I [insert
behavior here].”
CHECK-IN SCRIPT
“Hey, how areyou doing?”
INTERACTION TYPES
TYPE IA – JORDAN ASKS TAYLOR FOR FUTURE SUPPORT
Example:
Ideally, Jordan:
 Is clear and directin both what they’re asking Taylor to do, and when they’re askingTaylor to do it
Ideally, Taylor:
 Doesn’t problem-solve
 Doesn’t promiseanythingthey’re uncomfortable doing
TYPE IIB- JORDAN IS IN CRISIS AND ASKS TAYLOR FOR SUPPORT

3. Example:
Ideally, Jordan:
 Will ask for whatever they need right now, as specifically as possible
 Will explain thatthey need to leave if they feel likethey need to exit the situation
Ideally, Taylor:
 Remains calm
 Doesn’t take Jordan’s leavingas an insult
TYPE IIA - JORDAN OFFERS FUTURE SUPPORT TO TAYLOR
Example:

4. Ideally, Jordan:
 Accepts a “No” answer gracefully (and doesn’t take itpersonally)
 Keeps their judgements and opinion out of it
Ideally, Taylor:
 Will only talk abouttheir mental state if they want to
 Will provideclear guidancefor what Jordan can do
TYPE IIB- TAYLOR IS IN CRISIS AND JORDAN OFFERS SUPPORT
Example:
Ideally, Jordan:
 Will keep their judgements and opinion out of it
 Will followthe safety guidelines,unless they’ve prearranged a support responsewith Taylor
Ideally, Taylor:
 Will behonest about what they need, even if it’s nothing
 Won’t assumethey’re being a waste of Jordan’s time
TYPE III -TAYLOR EXPLAINING TO JORDAN WHAT THEY FEEL

5. Example:
Ideally, Jordan:
 Will listen respectfully
 Won’t problem-solve
Ideally, Taylor:
 Will avoid blamingor ranting
 Won’t apologizefor their feelings
TYPE IV - TAYLOR CHECKING IN WITH JORDAN
Example:

6. Ideally, Jordan:
 Will answer as with much depth as they feel comfortable – includingnotat all
Ideally, Taylor:
 Will legitimately careabouthow Jordan is doing
 Will consider settingup a check-in scheduleor recurringappointment with Jordan
TYPE V - JORDAN AND TAYLOR TALKING LIKE NORMAL HUMANS
Example:
Talk with people likethey area fellowhuman being who has varied attributes and interests !

7. RESOURCES
OSMI – osmihelp.org
 Largest nonprofit dedicated to mental health in tech
 Annual survey
 Free guidebooks for employees and HR
WRAP – http://mentalhealthrecovery.com/wrap-is/
 Workbook for helpingdiscover your states of mind, and discoveringwhatsupportyou need when
Mental Health First Aid - mentalhealthfirstaid.org
 Largest nonprofit dedicated to mental health in tech
 Annual survey
 Guidebooks for employees and HR
Mental Health America - mentalhealthamerica.net
 Self-screeningtools for potential mental health issues
 Excellent collection of other resources to learn aboutand deal with diagnoses
National SuicidePrevention Hotline - suicidepreventionlifeline.org
OR 1-800-273-8255
 Self-screeningtools for potential mental health issues
 Excellent collection of other resources to learn aboutand deal with diagnoses