Mental Illness: Support
If someone close to you is suffering from mental illness, it can be difficult, confusing, and saddening not just for them but for you as well. With proper treatment and support, people with mental illness can lead productive fullfilling lives. Here are some important ways you can help their recovery.
Help the person to recognize there is a problem and seek help
If a friend or family member's activity and outlook on life starts to decline and stays down, not for a few days, but for weeks, mental illness could be the cause. Many people don't even realize that they are ill. Encourage your friend to or loved one to share their feelings with you, since talking about mental illness makes things better, not worse. If it becomes clear that something is wrong, you can suggest that they seek professional help.
Explain that asking for help is not a lack strength or spirituality
On the contrary, it takes both courage and wisdom to know when someone needs help. Help them to understand that they have taken a big step, and encourage them.
Learn everything you can about their disease
Whether it is an eating disorder, depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or some other disease, learn as much as you can about it. Gain a good understanding of the symptoms, causes, treatment options and how to tell if a person's condition is improving or declining.
Help fight the stigma
Learn the facts about mental health and share them with others, especially if you hear something that isn't true. Treat people with mental illnesses with respect and dignity, just as you would anybody else. Respect their rights and don't discriminate against them when it comes to housing, employment, or education.
Use respectful "people-first" speech
Don't label people with words like "crazy," "wacko," "nuts," or "loony" or define them by their diagnosis. Instead of saying someone is "a schizophrenic," say he or she "has schizophrenia." Don't say "a schizophrenic person," say "a person with schizophrenia." This is called "people-first" language, and it's important to make a distinction between the person and their illness.
Provide emotional support
What a person suffering from a mental illness needs most is compassion and understanding. Telling someone to "snap out of it," "get over it," or "lighten" up are counterproductive. The best thing to say is "How can I help you?" or "I will always be here for you. I will not leave you to face this on your own" Often, people with mental illnes try to hide their feelings so if someone asks "Are you okay"" they will say "Yes" so you have to make sure they can tell that you really care.
Provide physical support
Participate with your friend or loved one in low-stress activities such as taking a walk, watching a movie, or going out to eat. Strongly encourage them to join you and others in social activities. You can also ease their personal burden by helping with the small things such as running errands, shopping for food and necessities, cooking, cleaning, etc.
Monitor their treatment keeping an eye out for problems
It is important that a person with mental illness stick to their treatment plan. Ask them about their theraphy sessions and ensure that they consistently take their medication. If their emotions or actions change, they may be off their plan. However, if they begin acting suicidal, you should contact their doctor.
Don't try to talk a person out of their feelings
Suppose a person with depression or other mental condition says, "My life is a failure," "Life is not worth living," or "All is hopeless.", telling them they are wrong or arguing with them will only add to their demoralized state. Instead, you might want to say, "I'm sorry that you are feeling so bad.", "Why do you feel that way?", or "What might we do right now to help you feel better?"
Maintain a healthy detachment
You may become frustrated when your well-meaning advice and emotional reassurance are met with resistance. Do not take your loved one's pessimism personally – it's a symptom of the illness. Direct your frustration at the illness, not the person.
Communicate with other people in the person's support network
Contact family, friends, clergy, etc. By talking to other caregivers, you will obtain additional information and perspective about the person with mental illness. You could even arrange for all of the caregivers to meet in one room for a brainstorming/support session. This way you will be part of a team that supports the person with mental illness and helps each other.
Take care of yourself and your family
It is easy to get wrapped up in your friend’s problems and lose sight of yourself. You may also experience “contagious depression,” or you may get your own issues triggered. Recognize that your feelings of frustration, helplessness, and anger are perfectly normal.