Those are just some of the reasons we think talking to a stranger, especially a mental health professional, is so valuable, and why it’s sometimes much easier than speaking openly to people close to us.
Ultimately, though, we all need a variety of people to talk to in life – we need that friend who we just talk nonsense with, we need the relative who’s always at the end of the phone to offer advice, and we need someone we can open up to completely, and sometimes that person will be a stranger.
And the best thing is, if you do need someone outside your network to talk to, there are so many options. You can book a session with a trained counsellor or psychotherapist, you could contact a charitable service such as The Samaritans, or you can talk to your GP about local support available in your area.
Remember that you’re never on your own, if you need to talk, there’s always someone to turn to.