They are there, but you may not see them
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Nearer you than you think
Based on statistics, someone close to you is likely dealing with significant mental health struggles. Yet, you may not even know who they are. Think about it: a colleague, a close friend, your mother or father, your son or daughter may be suffering in silence. Hard to hear? It should be.
In the picture above, I’m interviewing René, who went through a long period of serious mental health difficulties without anyone around him knowing. Thankfully, he received help before it was too late.
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Suicide
In Norway, more than 700 people are expected to die by suicide in 2025, and the numbers continue to rise year after year. This also means that you will, at some point, either have known someone who has died by suicide or currently know someone, perhaps without realizing it, who is struggling with suicidal thoughts.
In the picture above, I interview Anders Ryli, who shares the heartbreaking story of losing his 18-year-old son to suicide. Rest in peace, Jacob.
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My key-note
Over the past two years, I’ve given several public talks and keynotes on mental health, both at coworking communities like MESH and Rebel, as well as directly for companies. This isn’t something I plan to do regularly, but feel free to reach out if you’d like more information.
My keynote, titled “The Hidden Mental Struggles We Ignore,” is designed for people who may not have mental health challenges themselves, but who, knowingly or unknowingly, are close to someone who is struggling.
Some guidance
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How to spot us?
People who are struggling often won’t say it outright — but changes in behaviour can reveal more than words. You might notice shifts in energy levels, either much lower or unusually high. They may become less reliable with timekeeping, withdraw socially, or start hiding away from others. Some grow quieter than usual, while others become noticeably louder. Eating habits can change too. And one of the clearest signs: persistent procrastination, especially on tasks they normally manage without difficulty.
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Please accept
No one expects you to fully understand what it’s like to live with severe mental health problems. But what you can do is accept. Accept that this is an illness, sometimes even a terminal one. Just like physical illnesses can be. And once you truly accept that, your understanding and presence will, in itself, offer support to those close to you who are struggling.
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And please don`t
When someone is struggling, careless words can cause real harm. Avoid using slang like “he’s crazy,” “off the spectrum,” “needs a pill,” or “losing the plot.” Steer clear of mocking imitations, jokes at their expense, or emojis that make light of their situation. These things may seem harmless in the moment, but they deepen stigma and push people further into silence. We wouldn’t speak this way about someone who is terminally ill with cancer, so we shouldn’t do it about mental illness either.