Talking to friends and family about mental health issues can be a great opportunity to provide information, support, and guidance. Studies have shown that support from family and friends is a key factor in helping someone who is struggling with mental illness. This support can come in the form of a network of practical and emotional help, which can include parents, children, siblings, spouses or partners, distant family members, close friends, neighbors, co-workers, coaches and teachers. It is important to consider what level of support and care you can realistically provide to the person.
Have a supportive conversation with your family member or friend (as well as mental health professionals) about the type of support you can provide. This will ensure that any type of support that you cannot provide can be arranged in another way. If you are supporting someone with a mental health condition, it is important to remember that you are not alone. Family members and caregivers often play an important role in helping and supporting the millions of people in the U.
S. UU. who suffer from mental health problems every year. Many family members and caregivers have the same thoughts and questions that you might have now.
Family members can be an invaluable resource for people with serious mental illnesses. By learning more about the disease, you can help your loved one during diagnosis and beyond. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of the disease so that you can recognize when your family member might be showing signs that their illness is not well controlled. If possible, request an officer trained in crisis intervention.
Many communities have officers on staff who are trained to spread the word about a mental health crisis in the best possible way. Engaging with a loved one who has a mental illness can be difficult and frustrating, but there are strategies you can use to improve. If a person is persistently aggressive, immediately report any act of real violence or threat to the health professionals who care for them (and to the police, if necessary). If you suspect that your loved one has a mental or substance use disorder, you can play a critical role in providing the help they need. One of the most important things you can do to support a family member with a serious mental illness is to get informed. There are many free 8-session educational programs available for family, loved ones, and friends of people living with mental illness.
If you hesitate to see a mental health specialist, such as a psychologist, suggest a visit to a general practitioner. If you are concerned that your loved one is at risk of injury, you may be treated under the British Columbia Mental Health Act. It's easy to imagine the worst-case scenario, but signs of mental illness often overlap with other problems. Sometimes caring for someone living with a mental health condition can increase your own risk of mental and physical health problems. Research shows that compared to offering positive support, repeatedly inciting or annoying people with serious mental illnesses to make behavioral changes actually results in worse outcomes. Your doctor may not be able to share information with you due to privacy laws but they will alert you to watch for signs of mental health problems.
Receiving a diagnosis of a serious mental illness can be a shock to both the person diagnosed and their family and friends.
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