How to start a conversation with manager - I’m struggling.

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I need to have a conversation with my line manager about my current mental state, and where my heads at at the minute.
I work in a high pressure job, and past trauma is raising its ugly head again. It’s not affecting my job, but I’m concerned some aspects of my job may make it worse, so I want to prevent ending up in a place where I’m really struggling.
I really struggle to talk about any of this, and don’t know how to start the conversation.
Two higher ranking members of staff have asked if I’m ok over the last couple of days but I can’t get anything to come out of my mouth other than “I’m fine”

Please help!
Thanks!

Would it be easier to write down what you want to express, and emailing them asking for a meeting with the written account attached?

Quite possibly, whether I’d have the balls to send it or not I don’t know 🙈
I suck at talking or trying to express myself in any way that leaves me feeling vulnerable

Sounds tough. Maybe you could start small and say you’ve been struggling? But find it hard to talk about? They could help you find a structure for the discussion.

Hi op. I've been both the manager on the receiving end of a conversation like this and also the employee initiating one so I know how trick of can be , I'd work out first what your preferred outcome would be. Some time off? How much? Reduced workload for a period of time? How could they easily reduce it with least disruption to the business? Basically I'd want to go into the conversation with suggestions. As a manager that makes it easier to help action and also means you're not just putting the onus on them to work out how to fix it for you.

In terms of how to broach it, I'd be direct (but I'm a very direct person!) and go along the lines of "I'm someone who needs to keep on top of my mental health and know from the past what can happen if I don't. I am not at the point right now where it's a problem but I wanted to chat to you about it, as doing x is one thing I think is going to make a difference to me in getting through the next x period". You can also then tell them other things you are doing / putting in place to help you through so as to indicate you're proactive and again not placing the emphasis on work to fix it all.

Good luck!

I would lay the ground work for a conversation by email/Teams asking for a catch up to discuss your wellbeing, at least they will know the conversation is coming and what it'll be about. Good luck!