How to Help Someone with Mental Illness
When a loved one is struggling, it can be challenging to know how to help. However, your support and understanding is vital in helping your loved one manage their condition. Take the following steps to help:
Educate yourself:
The first step in helping someone with mental illness is to educate yourself. Learning about the symptoms will help you comprehend what your loved one is experiencing and how you can support them. Talk to a mental health professional, read books, attend support groups, and read the articles in our blog.
Listen without judgment:
One of the most important things you can do is to listen without judgment. Let your loved one know you’re there to support them and are willing to listen without trying to fix or solve their problems. Avoid stigmatizing language, such as calling someone “crazy” or “mentally ill,” and use respectful and empathetic language instead.
Encourage professional help:
While your support is necessary, it’s also essential for your loved one to be connected to a peer who has gone through similar mental health struggles and to seek professional help. Bridge 2 Resilience will help your loved one to heal holistically through evidence-based diagnosis and treatment. This will prevent severe outcomes like incarceration or homelessness.
Help with practical tasks:
Mental illness can make it challenging to carry out daily tasks, such as homework, running errands, sports, cooking, cleaning, or social activities. Offer to help with these practical tasks or find ways to simplify them.
Offer emotional support:
Mental illness can be isolating and lonely. Offer emotional support to your loved one by checking in regularly, sending supportive messages, and spending time together.
2 Responses
Thank you for this helpful information. Do you have articles you can share for families supporting people with mental illness?
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – “Supporting a Family Member with Mental Illness”
NAMI offers a comprehensive guide for families, including tips on how to support your loved one while also taking care of your own well-being.
NAMI – Supporting a Family Member – https://www.nami.org/your-journey/family-members-and-caregivers/
Mental Health America (MHA) – “For Family & Friends”
MHA provides advice on how to communicate effectively, set boundaries, and get involved in your loved one’s treatment in a supportive and respectful way.
Link: MHA – For Family & Friends – https://www.mhanational.org/family-friends
These resources can guide families through the emotional and practical aspects of supporting a loved one with mental illness, while also offering insights into managing caregiver stress and fostering a healthier dynamic.