Advice
Talking About Your Loved One’s Diagnosis
October 22, 2025
If someone close to you is seriously ill, you might be wondering if you should tell other people about the diagnosis and how to tell them. Remember, it is your decision how much you want to share with others and when – in this blog post, we will look at possible ways of preparing yourself to have a conversation about your loved one’s illness.
Think about how much you would like to share
It can be good to prepare beforehand, and think about who you would like to be aware of what is going on; you might want to tell your friends, teachers or employers, but it is completely up to you to decide who you want to inform of your loved one’s illness and how much you want to share – you can also sit with your loved one and work out what they are happy for you to say and what they would prefer to be kept private, so you’re all on the same page.
Prepare for the conversation
There’s lots of different ways to prepare for telling someone about your loved one’s diagnosis; you might want to plan a list of possible questions and answers, think about when and where to have the conversation, or find a quiet and private place so you won’t be distracted by anything else. You might find practising mindfulness and breathing exercises helpful before such conversation, especially if you are nervous or hesitant to share your news.
Don’t be afraid to set boundaries and say no
Setting boundaries and saying no can be healthy, and sometimes it’s needed. Think about things you don’t want to talk about yet, or at all – you could practice using responses, such as “I’m not comfortable discussing this yet” or “I would rather not talk about it” in your head or out loud, so it is easier if you have to say that in person. You can also practice affirmations, such as “I’m allowed to say no” and “setting boundaries is in my best interest”.
Sometimes people may have questions that you don’t have the answers to, and that’s OK – don’t be afraid to say you don’t know!
Consider your social media platforms
Social media platforms are great for sharing moments with your friends and family, and it can also be a place to share difficult news, such as having a loved one with a serious illness. Consider checking who you share your stories with – check your account privacy settings and decide whether you want to share your information with family and friends only or for it to be publicly viewable. On certain social media platforms, you can choose for some posts to be visible for “friends only” or “close friends” only, or be accessible for everyone. You can also set your account to public or private when needed, but even with privacy settings remember anything posted online can be leaked by screenshots, hacking etc.
As a social media announcement can result in messages and well wishes being sent to you and your loved one, it can be helpful to have a conversation with them first so they can also prepare.
Getting support
Hopefully, this blog post answered some of your questions. If you would more support about this or any other topic related to having a loved one with a serious illness, book a chat with one of our friendly and experienced wellbeing advisors.
