One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of a person’s health in the 21st Century is mental health. Awareness, support, and acceptance are incredibly beneficial for people undergoing mental health issues because most individuals fail to notice or understand them. Data on the United States population from the National Alliance on Medical Illness (NAMI) indicates that about 18.5% of adults, which loosely translates to one in every five individuals, have mental illness within a specific year. Only 44% of individuals from this group search for any treatment.
Additionally, nearly 18% experience anxiety, while 7% undergo major depressive states. The data indicates that if you do not have any mental illness, then there is a likelihood you know someone that does. Depression, anxiety, and panic attacks have become a worldwide epidemic where most individuals suffer in silence. With the use of new technology, there are numerous ways you can lend a helping hand to those struggling with poor mental health.
Look for any red flags
There are specific red flags or warning signs that should trigger prompt action for individuals dealing with mental struggles. Indications that a person is thinking about killing or hurting himself or herself should not be taken lightly. Early signs of a suicidal person include buying a firearm, writing a suicide note, no longer taking care of themselves, or not talking about their future.
If you have a strong feeling someone is becoming suicidal, you should ask them to seek help — any form of treatment. Call the emergency number if you suspect an individual coping with mental illness is currently engaging in suicidal activities.
Other signs of someone battling mental illness include significant weight variations, withdrawal from relationships, and decreased work or school attendance. Additionally, you might notice dramatic mood changes, agitation, and substance abuse.
Show compassion
People coping with mental health issues need to be shown compassion, love, and support. The worst that can happen is to make them feel alone and isolated during such hard times. You can make time and select a venue to listen to them, make an effort to understand and show compassion about their struggle. Avoid pushing them but rather act as a friend that is considerate and lends them a listening ear.
Individuals suffering from poor mental health require a friend that they can trust and feel comfortable opening up to. Furthermore, creating a genuine connection with the person will help them head on the right track to healing and treating their mental health. If you are based in Australia, you can show love and compassion by sending gifts such as their favorite flowers through the flower delivery services in Sydney when celebrating small victories.
Consider the mental health issue as a medical problem
Whatever the nature of mental health problems that a person might be struggling with, one of the critical steps to help them is to recognize it as an illness. Separate myths and misconceptions from the truth because it makes the afflicted person feel that you acknowledge their mental anguish. Additionally, they want a person that understands their inner struggles and pain, which many people fail to perceive. It would help if you separated the diagnosis from the individual to avoid the stigma surrounding mental illnesses in the current society.
Take time to understand the individual’s situation through having an honest and open conversation with them to show that you care and are ready to support them. Avoid downplaying the seriousness of their mental health symptoms.
Research
With the current age of technology, you can research online facts regarding mental illnesses and dispel toxic myths, such as it’s untreatable, it occurs due to poor parenting, or it can be conquered by willpower. Learning about the truth concerning mental health will help you make informed decisions when offering assistance to an individual suffering from mental anguish. You can look for people with past or current mental health struggles to learn about their experience or find online resources such as NAMI.
Encourage them to seek help
After listening to the individuals struggling with mental health issues without judgment, you should provide reassurance that the issues are treatable. Additionally, it would help if you encouraged them to seek assistance from professionals such as psychiatrists, physicians, social workers, and other healthcare professionals specialized in mental health. Treatment options can vary depending on the type and severity of illness determined by a physician.
You can help people battling mental health problems by fostering self-help approaches such as meditation, support groups, exercise, participation in communal activities, and interacting with friends and family.
