Barry Nicolaou shares his 5 step process to having a mental health conversation

·

A mental health check-in can be a difficult conversation to begin. Below is a 5 step dialogue process that can begin and nurture a conversation.

By Barry Nicolaou.

1) Ask them how things are with the intention to break through the ‘fine’ barrier. The fine barrier is when you ask a question and the answer comes back somewhere in the vicinity of ‘I’m ok or I’m truly fine’ – which you know is a cover.

2) Don’t offer solutions. Just listen when you’ve broken through the fine barrier (that’s an achievement).

3) Don’t judge. You may secretly go to judgment as they reveal the tapestry of their challenges. Try not to judge or secretly compare their problems with others (or your own) you feel are worse.

4) Wait for a question before you speak. When someone asks a question, they’re eager for an answer. Wait for the question. Then they’re ready to discuss a possible way forward with you.

5) Be a better listener than talker. People usually already have the solutions to their challenges but are unwilling to travel that road alone.

Lastly, don’t forget to thank them for choosing you.

Barry Nicolaou.

Who is Barry Nicolaou?

Barry’s ability to locate and define personal purpose in the mental health space has lead him to the publication and #1 Best Selling ranking of his book; The 11 Master Secrets to Business Success and Personal Fulfilment. 

COVID-19 has seen Barry take his strategies to the corporate world and instill cultural ‘people first’ strategies in some of Australia’s most dynamic companies. His passion lies in deconstructing the layers beneath personal cognitive fear, deep rooted anxiety, indecision, subconscious paradigms, inherited thinking and their connection to real-world expectations and experiences.

His presentation on Gratitude Leadership and numerous mental health programs assist businesses excel at what they do best by understanding our individual need for connection and appreciation 

“I feel privileged to have great clients and appear on podcasts by being a sincere conduit between anxiety, chronic stress and burnout and a genuine light at the end of the tunnel,” Barry says.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Fans and members rally behind Labi Haliti as Sydney Olympic climbs the ladder

Sydney Olympic FC’s commanding 3-0 win over NWS Spirit FC has not only kept the team’s momentum alive in the 2025 season.

How families celebrated a rare unified Easter

For the first time in eight years, all branches of Christianity—Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox—celebrated Easter on the same weekend.

George Mastrocostas pushes ahead with project amid Gold Coast housing surge

As the Gold Coast races to meet a looming population milestone of one million residents by 2045, George Mastrocostas is pushing ahead.

Tina Stefanou explores Melbourne’s urban fringe in immersive ACCA exhibition

Artist Tina Stefanou’s latest exhibition, You Can’t See Speed, now showing at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA).

Sydney man Zacharias Giatras granted bail after Rockdale crash leaves man critical

Zacharias Giatras, a 19-year-old plumbing apprentice, has been granted bail after being charged over a serious crash in Sydney’s south.

You May Also Like

Greece announces expansion plans for wall along the border with Turkey

Greece has announced its plan to expand the wall along the country’s border with Turkey by three times its length.

‘Our tireless guardians’: Greece commemorates Armed Forces Day

Greece's Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and President Katerina Sakellaropoulou commemorated Armed Forces Day on Sunday.

Saint Nectarios Burwood’s youth raise funds to support refugee families this Christmas

Saint Nectarios' Youth In Action hosted a lively Rock Around the Clock Trivia Night on Saturday, November 30.