A short note of care can be easier to receive than a request for a full explanation.

In the middle of a hard time, a caring question can land as another task. It asks them to organize what is happening, choose how much to say, and manage your reaction to it. A message that expects no answer offers the same warmth without the labor, and it leaves the door open for whenever they do want to talk.

Send one of those this week to someone you have been worrying about. Say you are thinking of them and that no reply is needed, then keep sending them occasionally rather than waiting for an opening.