One of the hardest things that comes with mental health battles is finding the comfort and how to open up to those that you’re closest with, specifically parents. From personal experience, finding steps and realizing that opening up to those that live with you is extremely important. While it can seem extremely intimidating, your parents are most likely going to help you get the help you need. So, how can you find the ways to open up? What I have discovered myself, is doing the challenge in 6 simple, but crucial steps. The first and most important part of opening up, is to plan ahead and figure out what you need to say. The impact of how you feel and how you come across is going to be important to your parents. Simply saying something like, “ I haven’t been feeling like myself because I’m struggling mentally. “ or “ I’ve been finding it difficult to focus, as my mental health isn’t where it should be.”. Creating scenarios to provide the information goes along with preparing with the conversation. Finding the right time and where should be thought about. Always trying to envision how your parents may react is often seen as seeing them say, “you’re a failure.”, “you’re weak” is common, but that’s usually the exact opposite from what truly happens. Try to find when you can have your parents’ full attention, and when you guys aren’t doing too much. Examples would be on a walk, at dinner, or on a long drive home. Once you have the conversation with your parents, inform them on how they can help you. Checking in regularly and booking a psychology appointment are both really good ways for them to help you. Along with what to do, let them know what not to do. When all is said and done, getting professional help is what should be done from there. If that includes talking with a therapist or school counselor, or if you are already seeing a mental health professional, try to let your parents in for a session.  Overall, having the conversation of the mental health battles you are going through with your parents can be seen as intimidating, but it can be done quickly and efficiently, with those that are around you to help, and listening to others stories can help. While having the conversation is extremely important, the new 9-8-8 mental health hotline is here to be a source, before and after the conversation is made.