Watching someone you love struggle with mental health issues can be challenging and knowing how to help them can be even more challenging. While you can’t fix their issues, you can take action to help them and provide continuous support.
Know the Warning Signs
You may have noticed that your loved one seems to be behaving differently or has changed in some way. It’s important to be able to spot the signs of a mental health condition so that you can help them effectively. Just be careful not to try to diagnose them yourself. You simply want to observe them to identify if there is likely a mental health problem.
Signs may include:
- Persistent sadness
- Nervousness or anxiousness
- Sleep or appetite changes
- Mood swings
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Difficulty at work or school
- Poor personal care
- Trouble concentrating
- Illogical speech or behavior
Educate Yourself
In order to help your loved one, it’s important to educate yourself about mental health issues so that you understand what the person is going through and what kind of treatment is available. You should also gather information about mental health treatment providers, support groups, and other resources that are available in your area. You’ll want to provide these resources to your loved one when you go to the next step, which is having a conversation with them about your concerns.
Have a Conversation
The purpose of having a conversation with your loved one about their mental health issues is to encourage them to seek help, but also to express that you are in their corner and will support them. Here are some tips to help you plan this important conversation.
- Choose a place and time where you will have privacy and not be interrupted.
- Start by asking them how they are doing. They may be prepared to talk about things that they are going through, which will give you the perfect opportunity to encourage them to get help and provide the information about mental health resources that you’ve gathered.
- Speak to them calmly and gently, and with empathy. Say things like “I’m concerned about you” and “I want to help you”, rather than saying “you need help” or “you have issues”.
- Be sure to give them time to respond to each thing that you say and listen to them. It should be a two-way conversation, and not a lecture.
- Ask them questions like “do you want to tell me how you’ve been feeling?”, and “Have you considered going to counseling?”
- Do not get frustrated if they don’t want to talk, and don’t pressure them. Sometimes it takes more than one conversation before someone is ready to seek help.
- If they get defensive, calmly tell them that you just want to help and you want them to be happy.
- Stay positive and encouraging. Express that you have confidence in their ability to get better.
- When they talk, be understanding of what they say about their issues.
- Tell them that they are not alone. Nearly 25% of people in the United States suffer from a mental health disorder. It does not mean that they are weak or defective, and they have nothing to be ashamed of.
- Share the resources that you’ve gathered. Offer to help them make an appointment with a mental health professional and to go to the appointment with them. Explain to them how treatment works, and the treatment options, such as talk therapy and medication.
- Express that you will continue to support them, no matter what.
Ongoing Support
Starting treatment for mental health issues is just the beginning. Mental health disorders can generally be managed but not necessarily cured. You can provide ongoing support as they go through treatment in many ways.
- Let them know that you are always there if they need to talk but never pressure them.
- Be involved in their therapy if they want you to. This can help you learn even more about how to best support them.
- Offer to help them with daily living, such as grocery shopping or house cleaning. You can also offer to drive them to their therapy appointments. Therapy can be challenging and time consuming, so taking other tasks off their plate can ease their burden.
- Be positive and encouraging. If they seem to be feeling better, express your happiness with their progress.
- Offer to go to support group meetings with them. These groups can be a good complement to therapy. It will give them an opportunity to connect with others who are experiencing similar issues.
- Be sure to take care of yourself. You can’t help your loved one if you get burned out. Take time for yourself and do things that you enjoy.
In Closing
It’s never easy to watch a loved one suffer with mental health issues, but you can be instrumental in helping them seek treatment. At Health Service Alliance, our caring mental health providers are ready to help. We are dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized, and accessible care regardless of your ability to pay. Reach out today to learn more.
