Seven Ways to Assist Someone with Mental Illness

Everyone experiences challenging times, and others help us get through them. The mental health of others can occasionally bother us. Whether they are friends, family, kids, or colleagues, there are many ways to support someone you care about. As a result, counselors and psychologists are available at many schools to assist students. Before deeply understanding mental illness, you must learn the book Thoughless.

How to approach a person who has a mental illness

• Have the conversation with them in a relaxed environment, with few interruptions and distractions.
• Introduce yourself politely to the discussion. If the individual isn’t in the appropriate headspace to talk, that’s OK. A simple “hello” and kind gesture may go a long way. Sometimes, less is better.
• Be careful to speak clearly and composedly.
• Be straightforward in your message and confine it to a single topic.
• Reflective listening skills, such as expressing empathy and compassion by saying things like, “I hear you’re having a terrible day today,” will assist you in being kind and considerate to others. Indeed, some days are undoubtedly more complex than others. I am aware.
• To avoid speaking to the other person, replace “you” words with “I” ones.
• Maintain eye contact, pay attention, and answer sympathetically.
• Don’t pry; instead, ask them the right questions without being inquisitive.
• Allow them to talk and show their vulnerability, but don’t push.
• Disclose fundamental Information to encourage easy conversations, such as remarks on the locality, the environment, or anything else.
• By expressing your feelings and looking for common ground, you may reduce defensiveness.
• Speak to them at a volume appropriate for their age and stage of development. Remember that a person’s mental health is unrelated to their IQ.
• Talking to someone while feeling angry or confused might be risky.
• Respect and compassion should be offered for how they perceive and describe their symptoms.
• When expressing your concern, be honest.

• If you believe they need aid, direct them to it and offer your assistance. Ask “How can I help?” if applicable. Or “Can I pray with you now?”
• Express your hope for the person’s recovery, pray for them and encourage them.

How to Help Someone Who Is Mentally

A person who is mentally sick or depressed may be helped in various ways.

1. Keep Distractions at Bay

It’s crucial to work in a distraction- and opinion-free environment.

2. Allow them to communicate their wishes.

Let them lead the discussion at their own pace. Please don’t force them to open up to you about something they aren’t ready to do. It can take a lot of bravery and faith to talk. They could have had the opportunity to speak with you about this for the first time.

3. Don’t assess or speculate on their emotions.

You probably lack medical knowledge, and while you may be eager to talk and provide assistance, you lack professional counseling training. Avoid making assumptions about what’s wrong or giving your diagnosis or solutions too quickly.

4. Do not respond to inquiries

To talk neutrally, try. Give the responder ample time to react, and don’t ask them too many questions. Better is to say, “I can see you’re feeling down.”

5. Discuss Self-Care

Find out if they have any suggestions for reducing stress or engaging in self-care. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and sound sleep may help maintain and protect mental health.

6. Listen to them

To be sure you understand what they say, ask them to repeat it to you. You don’t have to agree with what they are saying, but you may show them that you appreciate what they are saying by expressing that you understand their feelings.

7. Help Them Find Expert Assistance and Provide Information

Propose to accompany them to the doctor or support them in chatting with a friend or member of their family. Please don’t attempt to direct them; let them be in charge of making choices.

For my part:

Remember that if you believe they are in imminent danger or have injuries that need medical attention, you must take prompt action to ensure their safety. Additional guidance on how to manage a crisis is provided below.

If you are concerned about a member of your family or a close friend, they may not want to speak with you. Please don’t take this personally, but it could be challenging to communicate with someone you care about if they are afraid of hurting you.

It’s crucial to express your worry while being genuine and open-minded. They could find learning more about potential contact groups or people helpful.