Introduction
Mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. Having a loved one or friend experience a mental health crisis can be difficult and confusing, especially if it’s your first time seeing them in this type of situation. It’s important to remember to be patient and supportive of those affected by mental health issues. Being an effective source of support starts with understanding mental health and how to confidently address any questions or issues that might come up.
Mental Health 101
It’s important to start with a basic understanding of what mental health issues are and how they can impact different people. Mental health is the state of your psychological and emotional well-being, and is different from physical health. Mental health issues can range from temporary mental health problems, such as stress and anxiety, to severe and ongoing mental health conditions, such as depression and schizophrenia.
It’s important to remember that everyone has mental health and needs to take steps to maintain and support it-just like physical health. Mental health issues can be complicated for the one experiencing them, and can be difficult to treat. It’s also important to recognize that not all mental health issues can be easily diagnosed or identified.
What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma-informed care is an approach to understanding and responding to the experiences of individuals who have been exposed to traumatic events or experiences. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the impact of past experiences and how those experiences can manifest in a person’s current mental and physical health.
The trauma-informed care approach involves taking into consideration a person’s past trauma and provides services that are tailored to their specific needs as well as their overall well-being. It also involves building a trusting and collaborative relationship between the person and their support system.
Importance of Address Mental Health
Having a good understanding and recognition of the signs and symptoms of mental health can help to ensure that the person gets the help and support they need. Mental health issues can have serious and long-term consequences if not treated, such as an increased risk for substance misuse, suicide and other mental health-related issues, and legal problems. Therefore it is important that you are able to identify, understand and provide support to someone who is struggling with mental health issues.
What Is Help-Seeking Behaviour?
Help-seeking behaviour involves communicating distress, fear, and/or a desire for help to a person or system that is capable of providing it. It is an important factor in being able to both identify and treat mental health issues in individuals who might be struggling.
Help-seeking behaviour is important for everyone and can be done through engaging in self-help activities such as talking to family or friends, seeing a health professional, or accessing mental health services.
Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues can manifest in different ways, and there is no one size fits all approach to understanding them. It is important to be mindful of the signs and symptoms of mental health issues and how they might appear in someone.
Common signs and symptoms of mental health issues include, but are not limited to: - Changes in mood or behaviour - Withdrawal from activities or people that normally bring enjoyment - Changes in sleep or eating patterns - Increased alcohol or substance use - Impulse control disorders - Self-harm - Suicidal thoughts or behaviours
What to Say to Someone Struggling with Mental Health
Reaching out and providing support to a friend or family member who is struggling with mental health issues can be challenging. It is important to be mindful of what you say and to remember that there is no “right” or “wrong” way to approach someone. What is most important is that you are respectful, understanding, and provide a supportive environment for the person to feel comfortable in.
Here are some examples of what to say to someone who is struggling with mental health: - “I’m here for you and I care about you.” - “It’s ok to not feel ok.” - “I understand how hard it must be.” - “What can I do to help?” - “Are you open to talking more about this?”
Rules of Support
It is important to remember that providing support to someone who is struggling with mental health issues can be difficult, and it’s important to be conscious of the rules of support. It’s important to remember that you are not a mental health professional, and to therefore not attempt to diagnose or give medical advice to the person in need. Additionally, you should refrain from giving advice or judgments, let the person talk in their own time, avoid trying to “fix” the situation, and remind them that help is available.
How to Provide Practical Support
In addition to encouraging words and understanding, it's important to be aware of the practical needs and requests of those struggling with mental health issues. It is essential to be open-minded and non-judgmental when faced with requests from the person.
Practical support could include: - Offering to accompany them to a medical appointment - Assisting with errands or tasks that are difficult for them - Eating or going out together - Being a supportive presence by listening to them without judgement - Pointing them towards resources, both online and locally - Providing them with books, podcasts, or other materials that they can use to learn more about the issue
How to Support Yourself
It is important to keep in mind that while you are helping your loved one, it is also important to take care of yourself. Supporting someone can be emotionally and physically draining and it’s important to create a balance between self-care and caring for others.
Things you can do to ensure you’re taking care of yourself include: - Prioritizing your needs - Exercise and healthy eating - Taking time for yourself - Doing activities that you enjoy - Talking to someone about your experience - Reaching out for help if needed
Conclusion
Supporting someone who is struggling with mental health issues can be a complex and difficult process. It is important to remember to be patient and understanding, to not dismiss the person's feelings, and to provide practical, non-judgemental support. Additionally, it is important to remember to take care of yourself during this time so that you can be the most effective source of support. Above all, it is important to remember that mental health issues are different for everyone and should be treated with respect and kindness.