What is the best way to ask people for help when you are hurting without telling them the specifics of personal information on why you are struggling?

I find asking people if they want to meet for a coffee just because things are a bit tough at the minute and having some company might be helpful in changing my mood.

I think that it really helps when you give hypothetical examples to the person that you are talking wiht. If you have a problem with chewing gum too much and you do not what the person to know you have this problem, you could say "I have really been trying to help a friend out. I don't know what to do for her because she has an issue with chewing gum too much. I have tried but am unable to help. Do you have any ideas on how you would handle it?"

I don't think you can actually get help without sharing the specifics. As for personal information, you can always talk hypothetically. But it becomes very important that the other person understands the importance of the conversation you are having. You can always leave out the names or locations or dates but focus on feelings, and events that stirred up things into motion. How or why things changed and in what ways can they influence people in general. Although, I would always suggest that people can keep personal information to themselves, but the reason for 'why you are struggling' is very important to find a solution. If someone perceives the reason to be something else, the help provided may not be enough.