Every Art Opening Minds Class is built on meaningful dialogue by Participants. And also, facilitating open, honest discussion about mental health can feel daunting. Especially when you're not sure what to say next, or when no one responds right away.

The good news is that you don’t need to be a therapist or an expert. You just need a few reliable tools to guide the conversation—and the courage to be present with whatever unfolds.

Three Go-To Tools for Facilitating Discussion

When someone shares something, it’s a gift. Use their words to guide what happens next.

Transitioning Smoothly to a New Topic

If what a Participant says relates to the next part of the Class, use their comment as a natural bridge.

“That’s such a great point about how pressure builds up over time. Let’s take a look at how the film explores that same idea in the next section…”
This keeps the Class flowing while validating the contribution.

Going Deeper by Adding On

Sometimes a Participant opens a door, and you can help the group walk through it.

“What you said about feeling invisible really stood out. I’ve heard similar feelings described in stories about grief or anxiety. Has anyone else experienced something like that, even in a different context?”
This technique helps students make connections and builds shared understanding.

Inviting Complexity with Opposing Viewpoints

Mental health experiences are rarely one-size-fits-all. Use one perspective to invite others—even seemingly contradictory ones.

“Thanks for naming that. I’m curious—has anyone had a different reaction or experience? Something that feels almost the opposite?”
This reinforces that there’s no single “right” way to feel, and that diverse viewpoints are welcome.

What to Do When No One Says Anything

It happens. Silence doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong—it just means the group is thinking, or uncertain about how to begin. Here are a few options:

If you’re comfortable with humor:

“Well… I didn’t expect to be the only one talking, but here we are!”
“Wow, that question made perfect sense in my head. Let me try that again in actual human language…”
A light joke can break the tension and open the door.

If humor isn’t your style:

“I’m noticing it’s quiet. That’s totally okay. Sometimes it takes a minute to figure out what you want to say—or if you want to say anything at all.”
Naming the moment reduces pressure and models emotional awareness.

Simple prompts that almost always work:

• "That's great. What else?"
• “Anyone want to build on that idea?”
• “Is there a word or image from the film that stuck with you?”
• “You can also drop a word or phrase in the chat if talking feels like too much.”

Tips & Notes

• The goal isn’t to get everyone talking. It’s to create a space where people feel they could talk if they wanted to.
• Trust that even the quiet moments are part of the process. Silence can be reflection—not disconnection.
• You don’t need to have all the answers. Just keep showing up with openness and curiosity.