This is going to sound really dumb, but I am planning to call our Employee Assistant Program cos I really do need someone to talk too and I’m good and I want to do it, but then I think about calling and I don’t know what to say when they answer the phone. How to initiate that initial ‘Hello, welcome to blah blah, how can I help you?’ kinda of greeting.
My usual canned opening line is ‘Hi I’m X and I’m inquiring about your Y?’ Or just ‘Hi, I’m after some Information/advice about Y’
So basically that greets them and gives a brief idea with an opening to ask what they can help you with more specifically, allowing you to go into more detail and explain the problem.
I wouldn’t say I was great with people or the phone but I sometimes do have to cold call or email a lot of organisations.
Edit: Oh unless this is about something like counselling. Then I guess just say ‘I need help and someone to talk to.’ And they will ask what with and you can give them an area of struggle, lay out a situation in dot points, or tell them what caused you to seek help etc. Something very basic gets them to ask further questions and gets the ball rolling
First up: Go on you for thinking about reaching out. I’m really proud of you.
the first interaction is always so awkward. Still is for me 6 years into therapy.
Dont over think it! just say “hey my name is dan, I work at X and I need someone to talk to”.
Good call. The worst part about this whole thing is going to be the realization at the end of it that the build up was way worse than the call would ever have been. At least thats how I find things. please report back and let us know you got it done we’re all gonna be worried otherwise.
Not dumb at all. I reached out to my EAP earlier this year. I’m a strong independent woman, doing all the shit. But I just needed someone to listen while i laid my cards on the table and help me reshuffle the deck to an order. My initial phone call was quick, then my appointment with the counsellor was the next day. It really helped, and I’ve since told everyone I know to use it. So use it!
This is going to sound really dumb, but I am planning to call our Employee Assistant Program cos I really do need someone to talk too and I’m good and I want to do it, but then I think about calling and I don’t know what to say when they answer the phone. How to initiate that initial ‘Hello, welcome to blah blah, how can I help you?’ kinda of greeting.
My usual canned opening line is ‘Hi I’m X and I’m inquiring about your Y?’ Or just ‘Hi, I’m after some Information/advice about Y’
So basically that greets them and gives a brief idea with an opening to ask what they can help you with more specifically, allowing you to go into more detail and explain the problem.
I wouldn’t say I was great with people or the phone but I sometimes do have to cold call or email a lot of organisations.
Edit: Oh unless this is about something like counselling. Then I guess just say ‘I need help and someone to talk to.’ And they will ask what with and you can give them an area of struggle, lay out a situation in dot points, or tell them what caused you to seek help etc. Something very basic gets them to ask further questions and gets the ball rolling
First up: Go on you for thinking about reaching out. I’m really proud of you. the first interaction is always so awkward. Still is for me 6 years into therapy. Dont over think it! just say “hey my name is dan, I work at X and I need someone to talk to”.
Thank you. I appreciate that. I’m hopefully gonna work home this afternoon and I’ll feel better making the call knowing it’s private on my end.
Good call. The worst part about this whole thing is going to be the realization at the end of it that the build up was way worse than the call would ever have been. At least thats how I find things. please report back and let us know you got it done we’re all gonna be worried otherwise.
Not dumb at all. I reached out to my EAP earlier this year. I’m a strong independent woman, doing all the shit. But I just needed someone to listen while i laid my cards on the table and help me reshuffle the deck to an order. My initial phone call was quick, then my appointment with the counsellor was the next day. It really helped, and I’ve since told everyone I know to use it. So use it!
I’m glad it worked out for you :-)
Still a work in progress, as life is. But it’s good to have someone outside help work it all out with you and tell you that you’re not crazy.