A person’s mental health deserves the same consideration as their physical health Struggling with Mental Health.
Despite the intensity with which mental illness challenges are discussed these days all over the world, their relevance is frequently eclipsed by the persistent stigmas surrounding them.
Of course, it is no secret that dealing with mental health issues is no laughing matter.
Hard times don’t spare anyone. Nevertheless, having someone there for you during those challenging circumstances is a blessing.
Sometimes we are oblivious to the condition of our loved ones struggling with mental health issues.
It can occasionally be challenging for you and the person experiencing difficulty understanding their mental issues.
While there are various ways to help a loved one experiencing mental health problems, support is important.
Whether a friend, a family member, a colleague, or someone close to your heart, the scarier and the hard situation may be handled with time, love, care, and a little additional support.
The ways of taking care of someone with any physical disease must be known to you, but not being aware of the aids to provide someone struggling with mental health issues doesn’t make you powerless to help; you can still assist.
The to-do list includes the following:
1. Listen and validate their feelings
When a person with a mental illness shares their heart, it’s important to be all ears. Before listening to their stories, remember that it takes guts to open up and that by doing so, you are providing a secure and encouraging environment for them.
Instead of asking questions that must be answered with a simple Yes or No, ensure you are prepared with open-ended questions that allow them to speak in detail.
People struggling with mental health issues might be empowered by being heard and getting their feelings acknowledged.
It not only makes them feel heard, understood, and accepted, but it also lessens feelings of loneliness and gives them a sense of belonging.
2. Check-in regularly
According to studies, individuals who experience mental health problems frequently carry a heavy sense of guilt about consuming other people’s time, energy, and resources, which causes them to repress their emotions.
On the contrary, consistent checking in help them gain a sense of security and comfort from knowing they are not alone, which helps them feel less alone.
Also, regular check-ins offer a very obvious opportunity to reevaluate the person’s mental health status on a daily basis and observe if their condition has altered or improved.
3. Never compare the experiences
Everyone should now accept as a pain point that different people experience mental illness challenges in different ways. Every individual is different from others and has their own specific set of struggles and experiences.
A solution that works for one individual might not be successful for another. Thus, never say something that begins or finishes with “Everyone deals with anxiety/depression this way.”
A person experiencing mental health issues may feel dismissed and misunderstood if their experience is compared to someone else’s.
4. Understand and don’t gossip
It can be challenging to wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve, so if someone confides in you, be careful to maintain their confidence and avoid doing anything that could harm their reputation or make it more difficult for them to get the help they need.
Gossiping can aggravate the condition by increasing someone’s sense of loneliness and shame as well as their mental illness struggles.
5. Celebrate the shorter wins
To a person struggling with mental health issues; every day can be challenging, making celebrating even modest victories and achievements all the more meaningful.
It enables them to maintain their attention on the accomplishments they have already achieved rather than the distance still ahead.
For them, this little celebration, which may seem insignificant to us, might mean the world.
Final Verdict
Helping a friend or loved one experiencing mental health issues is essential because it assures them that they are not alone and can count on supportive others.
Explore the signs of mental health challenges in loved ones and understand the importance of mental health prioritization for their well-being and recovery.
The best method to show someone you care and want to assist them in every way possible while assisting them on the road to recovery is to offer emotional support and understanding.