You may have recently noticed that a loved one or friend is having mental health issues. Did he look sad? Had he stopped doing things he liked before? Was he moody? Was he worried or fearful?
Bringing up this subject can be intimidating. We want to help, but at the same time, we are afraid of hurting, of being too intrusive, or of being wrong. Yet, according to Statistics Canada, about one in five people in the country will suffer from a mental illness in their lifetime.
There are ways to help these people and resources to guide you through this process. When you know how to start a conversation, half the road is already done.
Here are some symptoms of mental illness:
- Feeling sad, being depressed, having dark thoughts
- Have difficulty concentrating
- Worry too much
- Have a very changeable mood
- Isolate
- Have little energy and feel very tired
- Have difficulty sleeping
1. Check how your loved ones are doing.
Often, mental illness is invisible. If you are worried about someone, give them a call or ask how they are doing. Host Jennifer Hedger, well known in the sports world, goes further: She suggests assuming that the people you meet have all their problems.
2. Approach the subject gently.
Starting a conversation about someone’s mental health takes tact, empathy, and compassion. Why not start by telling this person that you are worried about them? “Talk about what worries you, what you have observed,” suggests Valérie Legendre. Avoid putting yourself in a specialist position, however, by assuming a diagnosis, such as, “You sound like I’m depressed.”
3. Avoid taking on the other person’s experience.
When we have experienced an episode of psychological distress, we may be more alert for others’ signs and symptoms. However, we should not assume that the other person’s experience will be the same as ours. The symptoms may be similar, but the causes and experiences of mental illness are different. To maintain open communication and a positive bond of trust, one should strive to remain as neutral as possible during this discussion. It is better to speak on her behalf using the “I” rather than the “you”. In this way, you give the other person space to verbalize the differences in their story and prevent them from feeling judged.
4. Offer to help find specialized resources.
The first step is to establish whether the person you want to help can find professionals to help them. If so, encourage her to do so. You can also suggest that she consult her family doctor or accompany her to make the first appointment at a drug addiction and/or mental health center.
5. Offer full support.
If a friend or loved one decides to start treatment, support them as equals. Don’t judge him, and don’t infantilize him. Point out the progress – for example, if you see improvement, don’t hesitate to mention it to help him appreciate his recovery progress.
6. In a crisis, seek help immediately.
If you see the symptoms getting worse, don’t waste time: “There are resources available to help people who are going through a crisis.” If anyone raises the possibility of injuring themselves or harming others, call emergency services. They must get help quickly.
There are several treatments available for people with mental health problems. They can get help. Valérie Legendre adds that “the support network is a very important factor in recovery. Thanks to your love and support, they will know that they are not alone ”.
Consult Kentucky mental health care for the best Medication Therapy Management.
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