How to ask someone for support

Many people wait until they are drowning before they say anything. Asking earlier is a skill, not a weakness. You do not need the perfect speech. You need one person and one honest sentence.

Words you can borrow

I am not okay, and I do not want to be alone with it. Can you sit with me for a few minutes? I do not need you to fix this. I need you to listen. If speaking out loud is too hard, send the sentence in a message.

If the first person cannot hold it

Not everyone has room. That is painful, and it is not the end of the ask. Try one other person: a relative, a neighbor, a faith leader, or the line. You can also say what you need in practical terms: company while you eat, a walk, help with one task.

If there is no one nearby you trust, call CIPUH at 2919-9000. A First Listener is there to hear you, free and confidential, any hour.