What to Say – and Not to Say – to Someone With Anxiety

Anxiety and depression increased around the world by 25 per cent during the pandemic.

Such a staggering statistic is unlikely to surprise you, though.

Your own anxiety might have ramped up during the past few years of uncertainty, lockdowns, political and social meltdowns.

Then again, it might not be you but someone you know. Perhaps it is a spouse, child, family member, colleague or friend in your Saturday sports team.

While there has been a positive change in Australia about speaking openly about struggles with mental health, doing so still remains challenging.

Not just for the person struggling but also for the person offering a listening ear and caring heart.

How do you talk with someone about their anxiety?

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To give us some guidelines, Australian Institute of Family Counselling’s Nicholas Marks spoke with Hope Mornings.

Aligned with Nicholas’ podcast episode on this subject, he let us know what is helpful and not helpful to say to someone with anxiety.

Listen: Australian Institute of Family Counselling’s Nicholas Marks on Anxiety

Listen to the full interview with Nicholas on Hope Mornings in the player above.