Do you have a family member or friend who’s struggling with the challenges that come with mental illness? If so, it’s natural to wonder what you can say or do to help them. You might worry about saying “the wrong thing” and potentially damaging your relationship. You might also be concerned that your efforts might be misconstrued as too pushy or invasive.
In most cases, it’s better to do something and potentially have your efforts fall flat than it is to do nothing at all. Avoiding the subject altogether could make your loved one feel isolated, misunderstood, and intensely lonely. Here’s how to talk to a loved one about their mental health so they feel seen and supported through life’s challenges.
What Is Mental Health?
Before diving into how to discuss mental health matters with a loved one, you should have a basic understanding of what mental health is. In simple terms, mental health refers to a person’s state of social, emotional, and psychological well-being. A person’s mental health impacts how they behave, think, and feel from day to day.
A person with good mental health tends to handle life’s challenges without becoming completely overwhelmed. They tend to bounce back fairly quickly after dealing with unexpected problems or setbacks. The ability to recover after a life challenge is also known as mental resilience. People with poor mental resilience tend to become easily overwhelmed by even simple challenges. They may struggle to maintain good professional and personal relationships and are more likely to struggle with mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety.
How to Talk to a Loved One About Their Mental Health
A person with serious mental illness may struggle with self-destructive thoughts and behaviors. They may even experience suicidal ideation. People in this position may need to check into a mental health rehab for their own safety and the safety of those around them. However, they may not be immediately open to this idea. Here’s how you can get a loved one to open up about their mental health and seek the help they need.
Create a Safe Space
Getting your loved one to engage in conversations about their mental health may require them to be vulnerable. They may view vulnerability as a scary, undesirable, or overwhelming state of being. Therefore, it’s crucial to create a safe space for them where they feel as comfortable and unthreatened as possible. You can create a safe space by ensuring the following:
- Confidentiality: Your loved one doesn’t want their personal information to be shared with the whole world. They want to know that their private conversations will remain confidential.
- Respectful conversation: Always treat your loved one with dignity, no matter what “shocking” details they may divulge.
- Empathetic listening: You can create a trustworthy bond with your loved one by showing empathy while listening to their shared feelings.
- Supportive feedback: When welcomed by your loved one, supportive feedback can help them feel seen and understood.
When your loved one feels safe to talk about their mental illness, they’re more likely to open up. If they’re open to the idea, consider recommending a good therapist who can teach them coping skills. If your loved one is suicidal, seek emergency assistance or help them check into a rehab for depression.
Offer Support Without Judgment
If you want a loved one to open up about their mental health, it’s crucial not to shame them. They need to know you’ll listen to them without harshly judging their thoughts or actions. When you approach the situation with the desire to understand and empathize with them, it’s easier to suppress negative thoughts.
Listening without interruption is a great way to help your friend or family member feel comfortable talking with you. You can provide comfort by simply giving them ample time to talk through their feelings. Acknowledge their feelings without making them feel ashamed or misunderstood. When appropriate, you can also give reassurance and thoughtful advice. However, before giving unsolicited guidance, ask your loved one if they would like your perspective or if they just want you to listen.
Connect Them With Professional Help
In some cases, talking about a loved one’s mental illness can reveal ongoing concerns that require professional care. You may want to help your loved one reach out to a therapist near them who has immediate openings. Offer to go with them to their first appointment if they feel anxious or uncertain about seeking help.
In cases of serious mental illness, you may need to take the reins and help your loved one get checked into an anxiety and depression treatment center. Always show genuine love and support when making rehab arrangements so your loved one doesn’t feel betrayed or abandoned. Let them know you’ll be there to help them through every step of the process because you want to see them succeed.
Conclusion
Mental illness can be devastating, both for those who have it and for the loved ones who have to watch them suffer through it. Helping a friend or family member receive inpatient treatment for substance abuse or depression could change the trajectory of their life for the better. But first, you need to get them to open up about their mental health concerns and recognize the need for help. Use these tips to create a safe, non-judgmental space for your loved one to confide in you regarding their mental health concerns.
