Why Our Words Matter & Supporting Mental Health
Chris Segrin from the University of Arizona opens up about the messy, complicated reality of supporting someone you love who’s struggling with mental health. Instead of handing out quick fixes, Chris invites us to lean into empathy, reminding us that the illness is not the person — and that separating the two is where compassion really begins.
He challenges us to communicate without judgment, to listen with curiosity instead of fear, and to find strength in acceptance. At the same time, Chris gets real about the toll caregiving can take. He gives us permission to step back, set boundaries, and care for ourselves without guilt — because we can’t pour from an empty cup.
From using simple tools like text messages to create space for tough conversations, to walking the fine line between helping and enabling, Chris shows us how to show up for others while staying grounded ourselves. This is about building relationships rooted in love, honesty, and resilience — even in the hardest seasons.
BIO:
Chris Segrin (Ph.D. 1990, University of Wisconsin) is a behavioral scientist whose specialty is interpersonal relationships and mental health. His research focuses on social skills, relationship development and satisfaction, and such problems as depression, anxiety, loneliness, and marital distress. This research can be found in journals such as Human Communication Research, Communication Monographs, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, Communication Research, and Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. He is author of the books Interpersonal Processes in Psychological Problems (2001, Guilford Press) and Family Communication (2005, Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers). Professor Segrin was also the editor of the journal Communication Theory from 2003-2005. In addition to his appointment in the Department of Communication, Professor Segrin is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Family Studies. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Arizona, Professor Segrin was on the faculty of the University of Kansas and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He teaches classes in interpersonal communication, nonverbal communication, persuasion, marriage and family, and research methods. Professor Segrin has been the recipient of six teaching awards from the University of Wisconsin, University of Kansas, and University of Arizona. Recently he has been conducting research studies on the intergenerational transmission of divorce, how social skills deficits make people vulnerable to depression, and why lonely people have more health problems. In addition, Professor Segrin has recently conducted a number of studies with colleagues at the U of A College of Nursing to develop methods for improving quality of life (e.g., depression, anxiety, relationship satisfaction, social support) for women undergoing treatment for breast cancer and their partners, as well as for men with prostate cancer and their partners. This research has been funded by the National Cancer Institute, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Oncology Nursing Foundation, and the American Cancer Society.
RESOURCES/ REFERENCES:
https://comm.arizona.edu/person/chris-segrin
Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.