Struggling With Depression? How to Find the Words to Ask for Help

Being told to “just ask for help” often feels impossible when depression makes words hard to find. In this episode, writer and mental health advocate Sam Dylan Finch shares five practical, compassionate scripts anyone can use to reach out for support.

Sam’s insights come from lived experience—he’s both a suicide attempt survivor and someone who has lost loved ones to suicide. He explains why vague advice isn’t enough, and why specific, actionable language is key to breaking isolation and getting through the hardest moments.

Whether you’re struggling yourself or want to better support someone you love, this episode provides real-world tools that make asking for help less intimidating and more effective.

Link to Sam's list: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/2018/03/03/10-ways-to-reach-out-when-youre-struggling-with-your-mental-health/

Link to Sam's blog: https://letsqueerthingsup.com/tag/mental-health/

Primary Topics Covered

• Why vague advice to “just ask for help” doesn’t work
• Sam Dylan Finch’s journey as a suicide loss and attempt survivor
• 5 practical scripts for reaching out during depression
• Asking for company when you feel unsafe or alone
• How distraction can be a lifeline when you’re not ready to talk
• Why check-ins and consistency build safety
• Breaking stigma around needing emotional support
• The importance of peer and community care in recovery

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Giving Voice to Depression
 01:02 - Social media posts that inspire peer support
 02:29 - Meet Sam Dylan Finch: writer, advocate, suicide survivor
 03:06 - Why Sam wrote “10 Ways to Reach Out When Struggling”
 03:54 - Losing a friend to suicide and lessons learned
 04:42 - Why loved ones—not only clinicians—are vital in crisis
 05:20 - Normalizing the need to ask for help
 06:03 - Script #1: “I don’t want to be alone”
 07:00 - Script #2: “What I’ve been trying isn’t working—can we make a plan?”
 08:46 - Script #3: “I don’t feel safe—can you stay on the phone or come over?”
 09:39 - Script #4: “I’m in a bad place but not ready to talk. Can you distract me?”
 11:49 - Script #5: “Can you check in with me (on a specific schedule)?”
 13:36 - Why connection and visibility matter in recovery
 14:48 - Early check-ins as prevention against crisis escalation
 15:13 - Closing reflections and preview of Part 2

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/