I'm going to discuss the best way to help someone with a mental illness.. First, you have to show understanding. If someone has a mental illness, it can be biochemical. It can also be triggered by a situation, like it might be if a soldier shows symptoms of PTSD after combat experience. You have to be aware that someone can't just stop. Even if it doesn't seem logical to you. If someone is anorexic, they are coping with internal voices that convince them they are fat. They can't just eat...even if it is necessary to save their lives. People with depression don't just choose to stay sad and overwhelmed. No one would choose that. So, if your answer is going to be...'Snap out of it'...don't bother. You won't be of any help.
How do you help? By showing compassion. By being there. By encouraging your friend or loved one to get help. The funny thing about mental illness is that without medical and other therapeutic interventions, it doesn't get better. It may never go away. But it can be managed. Is it easy to get help? No. Definitely not. In some situations, people still legitimately fear that if they seek help, there will be career consequences. Or their families will have to deal with the shame. So, what should be done? For me, the correct answer is get help anyway. You deserve to have recovery. To truly help, you have to encourage people to get what they need. Cancer doesn't just go away. And most of the time, neither does mental illness.
If someone refuses to get help? Encourage them to utilize the resources they are willing to use. That may be private face to face support groups. Or communities that you may find online. Ask me if you feel a need to find something. I would love to help. And remember, the most important thing you can do is to care. Human beings need support to cope. Few of us can do it alone. Your love is a powerful tool. Freely share it. Let me know if I can support you. I'm truly concerned. We can do more together than we can do alone.
How do you help? By showing compassion. By being there. By encouraging your friend or loved one to get help. The funny thing about mental illness is that without medical and other therapeutic interventions, it doesn't get better. It may never go away. But it can be managed. Is it easy to get help? No. Definitely not. In some situations, people still legitimately fear that if they seek help, there will be career consequences. Or their families will have to deal with the shame. So, what should be done? For me, the correct answer is get help anyway. You deserve to have recovery. To truly help, you have to encourage people to get what they need. Cancer doesn't just go away. And most of the time, neither does mental illness.
If someone refuses to get help? Encourage them to utilize the resources they are willing to use. That may be private face to face support groups. Or communities that you may find online. Ask me if you feel a need to find something. I would love to help. And remember, the most important thing you can do is to care. Human beings need support to cope. Few of us can do it alone. Your love is a powerful tool. Freely share it. Let me know if I can support you. I'm truly concerned. We can do more together than we can do alone.
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