Tough times are quite obvious in our life, and during that time you need some mental support. We’ve also been concerned about the mental health of others at various points in time. Mental support doesn’t always mean to help financially or any other way, it simply means to spend time, friendly discussions, find optimal way to get rid of the problem. There are numerous ways to show your support for someone you care about, whether they are a friend, family member, or co-worker.
1. Schedule a time when there will be no interruptions.
When creating an open and non-judgemental environment, it is critical to eliminate all distractions. Give some time and spaces but be with the person.
2. Allow them to share as much or as little information as possible.
Allow them to take the initiative and lead the discussion at their own pace. Please don’t pressure them to share information with you that they aren’t ready to share. Speaking requires a great deal of trust and courage. Maybe you’re the first person they’ve been able to talk with about this situation.
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3. Don’t try to diagnose or second guess their emotions; instead, be supportive.
Despite the fact that you may be a medical expert, and while you may be willing to listen and provide support, you are not a trained counsellor. Please avoid making assumptions about what is wrong or offering your diagnosis or solutions too quickly.
4. Leave questions with a lot of room for interpretation.
“Why don’t you tell me how you’re feeling?” you might inquire. rather than “I can tell you’re depressed,” say “I can see you’re depressed.” Try keeping your language as neutral as possible. Allow the person ample time to respond and refrain from peppering them with too many questions.
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5. Discuss the importance of self-care.
Discuss methods of de-stressing or practicing self-care with them, and inquire as to whether or not they found anything useful. Eating a nutritious diet, exercising, and getting a good night’s sleep can all help maintain and protect mental health and well-being.
6. Pay close attention to what they have to say.
Make a point of repeating what they have said back to them to ensure that you understand what they are saying. You are not required to agree with what they are saying, but by demonstrating that you understand how they feel, you are demonstrating to them that you value their opinions.
7. Offer to assist them in seeking professional assistance and provide information on how to do so.
You might want to offer to accompany them to the doctor’s office or assist them in speaking with a friend or family member. Make an effort not to take control and instead allow them to make decisions for themselves.
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8. Recognize your limitations.
You will have your own limitations in terms of the amount of assistance that you can provide. It’s also important to take care of yourself from time to time. Allocate some time for yourself to rest and process what has been said to you or what has occurred. Make an effort to assist them in developing a support network of other friends, relatives, and mental health professionals who can also assist them.
A few other general strategies that you can employ to aid in the process:
Listen without making any judgments and concentrate on what they are saying and what they need at that moment.
Inquire as to what would be of assistance.
Provide reassurance and point people in the direction of useful information or resources.
Avoid getting into a fight.
Inquire if there is anyone they would like you to contact on their behalf.
Encourage them to seek professional assistance if they require it.
If they have injured themselves, make sure they receive the first aid that they require immediately.
Here are some more suggestions to assist you in providing the best possible support to someone suffering from a mental illness.
1. Become familiar with the illness, including its signs and symptoms. Also, become more knowledgeable about how treatments work to know of any side effects and improvements that may occur.
2. Encourage people to seek treatment. Offer to assist the person in making those first appointments with a doctor to determine what is wrong or accompany the person to the doctor—these first steps can be difficult for the person to take. If you do decide to accompany the individual, make a note of any notes or questions either of you may have ahead of time so that you can cover all of the major points.
3. Assist in developing specific goals that are both realistic and achievable when approached one step at a time.
4. Don’t assume that you know what the other person requires. Inquire as to how you can assist. Pay close attention to what is said in response.
5. Offer emotional support to those in need. You can make a significant difference in someone’s ability to feel less alone and ashamed when not feeling well. They should not be blamed for their ill health, although they may believe they are. Contribute to the promotion of hope.
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For example, you may have noticed a change in a friend’s behavior or demeanor and are concerned. You may be witnessing a family member discloses that they are suffering from anxiety for the first time. You may find it difficult to know what to say or do.
Keep an open mind about what your friend is going through and how it affects them. Instead of yes-or-no questions, Open-ended questions, such as “What’s going on?” “How are you coping” “How long have you been experiencing this?” should be used to encourage people to share their experiences with you.
When they respond, use affirming statements that will help them feel heard and accepted for who they are, regardless of their background. When dealing with mental health issues, many people blame or judge themselves for what they’re going through; others may believe that their struggles are unjustified because they’re all “in their heads.”
Even if you cannot fully comprehend or relate to their emotions or experiences, you want to convey to your loved one that they are completely fine — — this can be as simple as saying, “That sounds difficult.”
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Do enquire as to what they require from you.
“How can I best support you?” or “What would be helpful to you right now?” are two questions you should ask your loved one directly rather than making assumptions about what they need. Remember that everyone’s definition of support is different, and what you may require when you’re struggling may not be the same as what someone else requires when they’re going through a difficult time.
Make an offer to assist with errands and other daily tasks.
Many people struggling with their mental health may find it extremely difficult to make even the most basic decisions or to complete even the most mundane of tasks. Be specific about what you’re offering rather than using the generic phrase “I’m here if you need me” so that your friend doesn’t have to bear the burden of reaching out or figuring out what they need in the first place.
When you visit them, look around and see if there is anything you can help them with, such as doing the dishes, weeding, vacuuming, or folding the laundry. If you speak with them, offer to accompany them to a doctor’s appointment or run errands for them at the grocery store or drugstore; you might also consider sending them a gift card to cover the cost of their meals.
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Do congratulate them on their accomplishments, no matter how small.
Every day can be difficult for someone struggling with their mental health in one way or another. So congratulate them on their achievements and victories. This can assist them in reaffirming their feelings of agency and effectiveness. This could take the form of thanking them for being so open and vulnerable with you or congratulating them for going to work or taking their dog for regular walks.
Do some research on the issues they’re dealing with.
It is possible for you to relieve them of yet another significant burden: the responsibility of educating you about mental illness. Consider spending the time to educate yourself on the issues they are dealing with, such as more in-depth knowledge of depression or anxiety. This will help you to understand their lived experience and be aware of any severe or potentially dangerous behaviors or symptoms to watch out for.
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Do keep in touch with them regularly.
Many people struggling with their mental health already experience a baseline level of guilt for regularly interfering with other people’s time, energy, and mental space. Check in with them regularly (a quick text message is fine), keep them company when you can, and remind your friend that you care about them and are on their side.
Recognize that not all mental health struggles appear in the same manner.
Not all mental health challenges or illnesses have the same physical manifestations. Some people may be experiencing difficulties due to a specific event or circumstance, whereas others may be suffering from a chronic mental illness. You should not expect your loved one to “get over” it as quickly as they would if they had the flu or a broken bone if the latter is the case.
You should meet them where they are and remind them that you understand that this is something they have to deal with daily. If they’re having a particularly difficult day, this could mean understanding when they cancel plans on you, or it could mean adjusting your plans to reflect what they’re able to do.
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Do make it acceptable to talk about mental health.
It is important that you do not wait for them to bring up their difficulties or that you are direct with them. It’s critical that we remove the stigma associated with taking care of our mental health and talk about it in the same way we would talk about visiting a doctor or taking medication for a physical illness because it’s important that we do. You might consider opening up and being vulnerable when talking about your own mental health so that your loved one doesn’t feel judged and can be honest with you instead of feeling judged by others.
How can you be good friends with someone who is going through a difficult time?
Give her credit for what she’s saying. It is important for people to feel like they are being heard, especially when they are dealing with difficult emotions or experiences that may make them feel very alone. You are under no obligation to pretend that you are experiencing the same emotions as your friend. Even simply listening without passing judgment and saying, “That sounds difficult,” can be beneficial. According to Dr. Macchia, “Validation communicates to another person that their emotions are reasonable in light of the circumstances in which they find themselves.” If you have never been into such a situation or felt an emotion quite as strongly as your friend, validating him or her demonstrates that this is not an ‘overreaction” or an “underreaction,” she continues. They are entitled to express themselves in whatever way they wish. “
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Inquire as to how you can assist. It demonstrates your concern while also removing some of the guesswork. You might be taken aback by what he has to say. If he doesn’t have an answer ready right away, it might spur him on to start thinking more strategically.
Make an effort to understand her limitations. You shouldn’t expect, for example, a depressed friend to accompany you on all of your invitations to social events. Continue to inquire, however, and let her know that her company is respected.
Don’t spread rumors. Opening up about mental health challenges can be extremely difficult for people to do at times. If a friend confides in you, show him that you value his trust by not disclosing more information than he would like. Know, however, that it is perfectly acceptable for him to seek assistance from an adult if he requires it.
Change the conversation’s subject. While listening is important, it is also beneficial to provide some welcome distractions from time to time. It is not necessary for all of your conversations to revolve around your friend’s mental health. You might find that sharing what is going on in your life, talking about something you are both interested in, taking a break, and going for a walk or doing yoga with her helps her feel better about herself.
Engaging in positive, pleasant activities (even if she isn’t sure she wants to!) can also help to improve a woman’s outlook on life, according to doctor Macchia. It doesn’t matter if she’s experiencing anxiety, depression, or another emotion that makes her want to withdraw. Encouraging her to participate in energizing or enjoyable activities is a great way to support her.”
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Support from family and friends is proven to be an important component of helping someone who is suffering from a mental illness, according to research. Practical and emotional assistance is provided through this network of support. Parents, children, siblings, spouses or partners, extended families, close friends, and others who care about us, such as neighbors, coworkers, coaches, and teachers, can all form part of our support network. Some people may have more extensive networks than others, but the majority of us have at least a few people who are willing to help us when we are in need of assistance.
There are a number of significant ways in which family and friends can assist someone who is recovering from a mental illness, including the following:
Being able to recognize when something is wrong—or right: Getting help as soon as possible is critical in the treatment of mental illness. Families and friends are frequently the first to notice that something is wrong with a loved one. For signs to look out for, see the section “How do I know when to help?” on the following page. Finding a treatment that is effective is often a process of trial and error, and family members may be the first to notice signs of improvement in their loved ones.
