Ways to Help People Struggling With Their Mental Health

Everyone struggles with their mental health from time to time. So you’ll likely come upon a situation where someone close to you is having a hard time. When it comes to helping someone with a mental health illness it’s not as easy as caring for a cold or the flu. It’s hard to see someone close to you in pain and confusing when they’re not acting like themselves. You want to offer support but you’re unsure of the best way to approach the situation and you don’t want to matters worse. But just like any other health problem, someone who’s struggling with a mental health illness still needs your love and support. So if you are unsure of how to approach someone close to you who is struggling with their mental health these tips may help.

When approaching someone struggling with their mental health try to do the following.

Create A Comfortable Environment

Find a space that is comfortable where you won’t be interrupted and little to no distractions. Then ease into the conversation, the person may not be in a place to talk, and that’s Ok don’t force it. Extending kindness can go and a long way and sometimes less is more. Be sure to speak calmly, and stick to one topic at a time. Try not to direct the conversation at them by using ” you” statements and use “I” statements instead.

Be A Good Listener

When the person is talking be responsive and make eye contact with a caring approach. Make sure that you give them the chance to open up and ask questions but don’t press or pry. Share your feelings and look for common ground. Be aware of the person becoming overwhelmed or upset with the conversation. And be sure to show respect and understanding for how they describe and interpret their feelings and symptoms. Always be respectful and empathetic to their feelings by engaging in reflective listening and using reflective listening statements.

Offer Support

Express your concerns, offer support, and connect them to help if you feel that they need it. And don’t forget to ask how you can and give the person hope for recovery.

These are just a few things that you want to avoid doing or saying when speaking with someone struggling with their mental health.

Don’t Say This

• “Just pray about it.”
• “You just need to change your attitude.”
• “Stop focusing on the negative.”
• “Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
• “Stop acting crazy!”
• “It’s just that time of the month you’ll feel better in a couple of days.”

Don’t Do This

• Criticizing blaming or raising your voice at them.
• Talking too much, too rapidly, too loudly. (silence and pauses are ok.)
• Showing any form of hostility towards them.
• Assuming things about them or their situation.
• Being sarcastic or making jokes about their condition.
• Patronizing them or saying anything condescending.

Suicide Prevention Resources Printables

I created a list of suicide prevention resources that you can print out. There are multiple ways you can use these. Print out a large version and put it on the fridge or frame it and put it near a landline. You can also print out a smaller version and carry it in your wallet or give it to a friend. They’ll remind you that you don’t have to go through things alone and there is always help. All of these resources are available to you 24/7 and more than willing to help.

Free Suicide Prevention Resources Printables

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL FREE PRINTABLES ON MY SITE ARE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD. FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS FREEBIE, BUT PLEASE CREDIT ME AND LINK BACK TO THIS PAGE WHEN PLACING MY IMAGES ON YOUR BLOG OR SOCIAL MEDIA. PLEASE DO NOT LINK DIRECTLY TO THE DOWNLOADABLE PDF FILE; INSTEAD LINK BACK TO THE URL OF THIS PAGE. THANKS!

If a person you care about is in crisis, please encourage them to seek help immediately. Direct them to contact 1-800-273-8255 to reach a 24-hour crisis center, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. You can also call these numbers if you fear for someone’s safety or life.

Related post: How to Maintain Your Mental Health in College

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