Dealing with people experiencing Mental Health Problems

Living in a society that stigmatizes mental illnesses and labels anyone who gains the courage to talk about it, it is extremely difficult to live as a victim of any mental health problem. Just as it is difficult for the person suffering, it is as well almost equally difficult for the people who have their loved ones or friends or anyone around suffering from a mental health illness.

The degree to which it is difficult for the caretakers to deal with mental health problems depends on the nature and severity of mental health disturbance. People with a diagnosis have to be looked after differently since they are at a level of severity which has to be dealt with care and sensitivity so as to prevent further damage. Others who frequently experience mental disturbances, symptoms of anxiety or depression, elevated stress levels or fatigue, mood swings and feelings of emptiness or sadness are to be dealt differently with various therapeutic interventions or counseling.

Sometimes it will seem obvious when someone is going through a hard time but there is no simple way of knowing if they have a mental health problem. Other times you do not need to know. It is more important to respond attentively and sensitively to someone having a hard time rather than knowing the diagnosis.

Here are some general ways in which you can help someone with a mental health problem.

1. Be informed and educated on topics related to different types of mental health disturbances and how they can affect someone.

2. Educate people around you and normalize talking about mental health problems. Most of the people suffer because they have no one to talk to without the fear of being judged.

3. Make them comfortable around yourself. Develop a helpful approach so they find it easy to make you understand what they are going through.

4. Be empathic. There are a lot of people who can easily sympathize but there are very few who can empathize. Be one of them. Try to put yourself in the shoes of someone who is suffering and view the world from their eyes. It makes things easier for both.

5. Never judge. A person experiencing a mental disturbance might tell something that does not resonate with your values at all. It might lead you to form a rigid perception. Doing this can make the problems worse for victim.

6. Always be there for everyone. Be compassionate. Be kind. Every person is going through something we know nothing about. Be there for them.

7. Look after yourself. Dealing with someone with a mental health problem can take a toll on your own health. It is important to regulate your emotions, monitor your behavior and keep your mental health in check.

8. Never commit promising results of your help to a person suffering from mental health if you are not an expert. Always refer the person to a professional and keep checking up on them.

Once you start to talk about your illness, you realize you are a part of big club. Every person is going through something. The least we can do is choose to be kind and compassionate. The world is a bitter place for them, help it make a better place!