Starters (Helping with Mental Illness)
“Hey, look at me. It’s not real. There isn’t anything there.”
“It’s okay! Nothing is in here, nothing!”
“Describe what you see to me.”
“Ssh, I don’t hear anything. We’re alone.”
“I don’t know how to make something that I can’t see go away!”
“Here, squeeze my hand. You can hold onto me. I’m real, I’m not going anywhere.”
“We’re going to play a game. Focus on yourself and the things around you. Focus on what’s real, and count. There is one book, there are two chairs. You have two arms, you have two legs. Okay? Keep counting and focusing on the things around you.”
“Take a deep breath in, that’s it, now let it out. Come on, you can do it again. Just breathe.”
“Can you hear me?”
“Sometimes, I can’t even recognize you.”
“Who are you, anymore?”
“Why are you shaking so much?”
“Hey, hey! You’re okay, you’re safe here! Please calm down, you have to breathe.”
“Here, I made you something to eat. I know you’re never hungry, but…”
“Have you had anything to drink or eat today?”
“Did you take your medicine today?”
“How did you sleep?”
“What did you do to yourself?”
“Let me see…please?”
“Here, I’ll clean and bandage it. Alright? Will you let me?”
“Why do you do this to yourself?”
“Stop, stop it! You’re hurting yourself!”
“I’ll leave the light on, okay? Look, it’s not dark.”
“I’ll stay right here. You’re not alone, okay? I’m here.”
“Hey, anxiety’s a bitch, right? I’ll go with you!”
“Hey, I’m proud of you. You did great.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“You’re not broken.”
“Wake up! It’s just a bad dream!”
“You don’t have to be afraid.”
“Come on, we need to go the hospital. You’ll be safe there.”
“Please…talk to me.”
