“Never give up on someone with a mental illness. When “I” is replaced with “WE” illness becomes wellness.” Shannon L. Alder
The journey of mental illness to mental wellness can be difficult at times but helping someone in this fight can turn things in a really therapeutic way for that person. So here are some effective ways through which we can help someone struggling with mental illness.
Be empathetic
Empathy is the best resource one must be equipped with so from identifying a person suffering from mental illness to approaching them we must develop the capacity for understanding what other person is going through our one empathetic gesture can be the source of healing for the person who is suffering.
Watch your words
Language has certain power and we must be really watchful while using it especially when it comes to addressing people with mental illness. Calling someone as “psychotic or mad” can be extremely heart wrenching for that person who is striving hard to get through the mental illness. Here we need to understand mental illness is just a condition which doesn’t define the individual.
Talk therapy is all they need
Speaking can be a talent but listening is an art which is mastered by few so you be the good listener and let the person speak his heart out this can surely give a positive dimension to the issues person is facing as mostly people with mental illness go unheard which often lead towards the rampant consequences. So the approach of having an open conversation where a person is heard compassionately without being judged can be really beneficial and can somehow prevent the severe consequences.
Guide them for psychiatric consultation
Mostly people with mental illness are scared or I can simply say ashamed of consulting a psychiatrist neglecting the fact that their illness is effecting their overall functioning. Approaching a psychologist or psychiatrist can help one to treat and manage any mental issue on its initial level so one of the best ways to help someone suffering is guiding them for seeking proper treatment on right time.
Stop stigmatizing
There is a story behind every mental health issue and everyone is not resilient enough to cope it. Regretfully people with psychological disorders are marginalized and stigmatized in our society which is fostering this trend of discrimination for people with mental health problems so just stop stigmatizing mental illness it is as common as physical illness. Impeding stigma towards mental illness can help strugglers to recover and see themselves as the potential individuals and it can also reduce the reluctance of people who sincerely wants to seek help for the issues they are facing.
Be a positive vibe
We all need certain amount of positive energy around us to keep our selves mentally healthy and optimistic way to any problem drifts one towards positive solution. Same applies to people struggling with mental illness they might be strongly stuck in negative thoughts and they may think that there’s no way out but turning things positively for them can really boast their mental health and yours too.
Mahrukh is a Nursing student at The Aga Khan University, and a true supporter of mental health as priority and believes that optimistic stance towards mental health awareness is crucial for mentally healthy society.