7 ways you can support a person with mental illness
Icebreaker
Hello and how are you? I hope you’ve had a good month so far. I’m sorry for not writing to you sooner. I have been dealing with issues in my personal life, including my mental health. A lot has happened, but I’m in a better place now and I’m excited to share everything about mental health with you again.
As I worked through my issues, I remembered this post which I planned to share and I realize how important support can be for a person with a mental health illness.
So, how can you help someone be mentally healthy? Read on.
The mental illness epidemic
For decades, we didn’t pay much attention to mental health. Because of this, a lot about mental health was unclear, resulting in the prevailing stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illnesses. Those living with it are uncomfortable discussing their condition or seeking help, and those who don’t live with it are not well-equipped to help a person with symptoms of a mental health problem.
Global estimates suggest about 970 million people live with a mental health problem. That is a lot; about 1 in every 8 people. In addition, the recent global pandemic, which we’re all still collectively recovering from, worsened the mental health problems around the world.
What’s more, many young people are getting diagnosed with mental health problems. In this era of technology, social media and all it brings, more young and Internet-savvy people are getting exposed to aggravating news, images and experiences. All this to say, mental health problems are on the rise.
All this matters, because mental illnesses can affect the entirety of a person’s life experience. Also, research suggests mental health problems cut a person’s life up to two decades short. There is so much more life left to be lived, and that’s why we need to know how to help and support people living with mental health problems, so they can live a long and full life.
How to know if a person has a problem
First, the evidence suggests that we’re likely to experience a mental health problem at least once in our lives. And this has been the case for me as well 😅. Sometimes, it’s obvious that a person is struggling with their mental health, as they can have symptoms such as:
Sudden loss of interest in things they previously enjoyed
Seeming angry or sad for little or no reason
Altered sleep patterns
Using alcohol, substances or other risky behaviours to cope
Talking about taking their life
However, other times it may not be so obvious. What’s important is learning how to respond helpfully and sensitively when your neighbour, friend or loved one seems troubled.
What can you do to help?
Here are a few things you can do to support someone with a mental health problem
Tell them you’re worried: When you open up the conversation, you’re showing that you care about them and you’re making out time for them. Try speaking in an open, non-judgemental way and avoid distractions.
Ask questions: Keep your questions open-ended (e.g. how are you feeling? Instead of “Are you depressed?”). Let your language be neutral and give them time to answer questions. Make sure not to come off as grilling/interrogating
Listen with an open mind & reassure them: Listen as the person opens up to you. Recognise the fact that opening up is a huge step, and reassure them that they have your support and love. Show them empathy, not by trying to feel what they feel; but by trying to understand what they feel.
Let them lead the discussion: Let them talk at their pace, sharing as much or as little as they want to. Even if they don’t give you all the answers, that’s OK. The fact they’re having the conversation alone is a big step.
Don’t attempt to make a diagnosis or second-guess how they’re feeling: Chances are that you’re not a trained mental health professional. So, don’t attempt to make assumptions about what’s causing how they feel. Avoid saying things like “You’re fine”, “it’s not that bad”, “cheer up” etc.
Encourage them to seek professional treatment: Ask if they’re receiving care. If they’re not, offer to help them get professional treatment. Remind them that mental illnesses are very treatable. But, don’t go to a professional on their behalf. Instead, gently explore their reasons for not getting care and listen as they work out what to do in their situation. Remember to be patient with them. Healing isn’t always a linear experience.
Help out: It is very helpful to carry on as usual around this person. Try not to behave differently as this might cause them to feel more isolated. You may assist with chores or other responsibilities that they carry out. However, it is also important to know your limits and take care of yourself too.
In a nutshell
While this is not an exhaustive list of all you can do for someone with a mental problem, it provides practical guidance on what is helpful. The focus should be on the person living with the health problem, and never on ourselves. If we hold space for people with mental health problems, we could help reduce the stigma associated with getting mental healthcare, and improve the lives of those we care about. And what’s more beautiful than a healthy friend, family or loved one?
Thank you for taking out the time to become more mentally conscious. I hope you find these suggestions useful. Please share this information far and wide and your feedback in the comments is very important.
Until next time,
Tertsegha /Tay-TEE-ah/