5 simple steps you can take to check in with someone who might be struggling

Brought to you by Mental Health Ireland

This could make a big difference to someone's day...

As a nation, we're usually pretty good at small talk. But when we ask someone how they're doing, it's important to sometimes go that extra step to ensure we're really asking and really listening. That's why Mental Health Ireland are running their Hello, How Are You? campaign, to turn this throw away phrase into something with a little more meaning. Running on Thursday 7 April, the Hello, How Are You? campaign involves five simple steps that will help you check in with someone and respond properly if they are going through a challenge. The five H.E.L.L.O steps are Hello, Engage, Listen, Learn and Options:

• Hello - Say 'Hello, how are you?' to a friend, family member, neighbour or colleague, and ask if they want to chat.
• Engage - Engage with them by being as open as possible to conversation, and asking questions that don't just require yes/no answers.
• Listen - Actively listen to what the person has to say. Use words and body and language that show you are listening. Let them lead the conversations and don't worry if you don't have all the answers.
• Learn - Take time to learn about them and how they are feeling. Try look at things from their perspective and ask what has worked in the past.
• Options - Give the person time to talk through their options. Support them in identifying their next step, or let them know there are supports available if needed. Check in to make sure they're okay to end the conversation.

It's a really simple way of swapping out the small talk for something a bit more meaningful and checking in on the people you care about. To get involved, simply use the five Hello, How Are You? steps to check in with someone on Thursday 7 April. Or, if you want to go one step further, why not organise a coffee morning or a walk? Organising an event on Thursday 7 April is the perfect way to take part in the Hello, How Are You? campaign and create a safe space for these conversations to take place. You'll find some handy resources to help you get started right here. On April 7, say Hello, How are You? to a neighbour, a friend, a work colleague. Visit www.hellohowareyou.info to get involved. Brought to you by Mental Health Ireland