If You’re Hearing “I’m Fine,” It May Be Time for a Deeper Conversation

• By: Dr. Jessi Gold, MD, MS
• September 28th, 2026
• crisis support, depression, emotional well-being, healthcare communication, mental health awareness, patient advocacy, stigma reduction, suicide prevention
• 20    0

As a psychiatrist, I hear "I'm fine" a lot. At the start of each session, I ask some version of, "How are you?" or "How have you been feeling since our last visit?" Inevitably, many people reply, "I'm fine." I hear it from patients, friends, and colleagues. I've even caught myself saying it when...