How To Support A Friend With Mental Health Issues?

We all face difficulties in life that might have a significant effect on our psyche. Millions of people across the globe struggle with mental health disorders, and these problems do not discriminate based on gender, age, or socioeconomic status.

Someone you care about is probably going through this right now. Having a friend there to lean on is vital when someone is going through a tough period.

It might be frightening to know how to support a friend who is struggling with mental health. You might fear making matters worse by saying the wrong thing or failing to read their emotions. This resource will help you become a trustworthy and sympathetic companion on your friend's mental wellness journey.

When helping a friend struggling mentally, remember that you are not expected to act as a therapist or solve their problems. Instead, it's about creating a welcoming environment where they don't have to worry about being judged. You may make a huge difference in your friend's recovery and quality of life simply by being there for them and offering your support.

Throughout this manual, we will discuss various methods for providing appropriate assistance, recognising a variety of mental health disorders, communicating clearly, and knowing when to consult a professional. We'll also dispel myths about mental health to help you help your friend most effectively and compassionately as possible.

How Can I Tell If Someone Is Experiencing Mental Health Issues?

Although it may be easy to discern that a person is going through a rough patch, determining whether or not they have a mental health issue is more complicated.

There are moments when ignorance is bliss. Responding compassionately to their distress is more essential than discovering whether or not someone has a diagnosis.

No two people with mental illness act similarly, even though there are shared symptoms among many conditions. If you know the person well, you may detect shifts in behaviour or disposition.

What Can I Do To Help?

Numerous resources are available if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health.

Discussing Mental Health

Knowing what to do when you're concerned about someone might be difficult. There should be no delay in seeking help once a problem has been identified. If you wait for people to come to you for assistance, you may waste time better spent helping them.

The first thing to do when you notice someone is struggling is to talk to them. This will allow you to learn about their problems and how to assist them best.

Tips For Talking About Mental Health

Scientific studies indicate the need for social support for mental health issues. This community offers a safety net of emotional and logistical assistance.

Our support systems may include our loved ones from birth and throughout life, including our friends, family, and the people we meet in our communities, at school, and in the workplace. 

While some individuals' support systems are greater than others, most of us can count on at least a few people to help us in a pinch. The support of loved ones is crucial while recovering from mental illness.

Determining Whether Something Is Right Or Wrong

Learn about the signs and symptoms of the many mental diseases. Read up on the treatment's mechanism of action to know what to expect from your treatment, when to expect it, and what kind of improvements to watch for.

Recent research has demonstrated that illness education can cut in half the rate of relapses among family members in the first year after receiving education about the condition.

Seeking Help 

Help your loved one take the first steps towards getting help by offering to make or going with them to their primary care physician to figure out what's wrong. This can be challenging if your loved one needs more motivation or needs help with focusing.

If you decide to go with them, let's collaborate on a list of questions and notes ahead of time to make sure you cover everything important. Support your loved one's decision to go it alone by asking if there's anything you can do to assist them.

A mental health crisis is not always avoidable. Try to get your loved one to the hospital without you accompanying them if at all possible. Someone you care about can get help if you think they're in danger of harming themselves or others. Although there are times when involuntary treatment is required, it is never easy for everyone involved. 

Assistance With Treatments, Appointments, And Medications 

Spending time with family and friends can remind people to take their meds. You could also explain why the doctor isn't using the prescribed meds. Similarly, you may be asked to help remind your loved one to make or keep treatment sessions, complete therapy assignments, or apply light therapy treatments.

You should advise a loved one to consult a physician or pharmacist if they have problems with their prescription regimen. They may have ideas for improving the process of taking medication.

If your loved one is experiencing additional difficulties while taking their medication, such as side effects, you should urge them to record their thoughts and questions and discuss them with their doctor. If they don't get along with their current physician, you should help them locate someone else. 

Promoting A Healthy Way Of Life 

Participation in family life can also help with day-to-day concerns such as financial planning, finding solutions to problems, maintaining a healthy diet, being active, finding suitable housing, and getting enough sleep.

Case managers and peer support workers at local mental health facilities can provide individuals with access to life skills training and connections to sources of income and accommodation.

Giving Emotional Support 

Someone who isn't feeling well may feel less isolated and humiliated if you reach out to them. Although individuals are not at fault for their disease, they may be led to believe otherwise by well-meaning friends and family. You have the power to spread optimism.

Stress levels might rise when caring for a sick loved one. Keep in mind that you, too, have emotional needs. Join family members of those with mental illness support groups. There, you can find solace in the company of those who understand what you're going through. Make sure you're prioritising your mental health treatment as well.

What Should I Do If Someone I Know Is Suicidal?

If someone discloses suicidal thoughts or a lack of will to live, you must urge them to receive care as soon as possible. Resources are also available through family, friends, and mental health specialists.

You can ask someone how they are doing to demonstrate that you care and are prepared to listen to what they say. Talking to someone can be very helpful for people with suicidal thoughts, even though you may find the chat disturbing. If they are having suicidal thoughts, kindly encourage them to consult professionals in mental health care for assistance. 

What You Should Avoid

• Be present all the time.
• Put your own life in danger to protect someone
• Feel bad if everything is going well for you
• Continue to be in a relationship that isn't fulfilling for you.

Remember that you can never be fully responsible for the emotional well-being of another individual. Your friend may exacerbate your guilt and make you feel like you're the only one who gets it and can assist. Sometimes the best thing you can do as a friend is to back off so your friend may begin receiving care from a skilled specialist in the field of mental health.

Finally, if a friend (a love partner or an ex-partner) threatens to hurt themselves or you because of something you did, you should talk to an adult immediately. Even if you want to, you cannot provide them with the help they require.

When To Turn To An Adult

When a friend starts unloading severe problems on you, it is not always evident when it is time to seek support from an adult, such as a school counsellor or a parent. This can be especially confusing for younger children. It is common sense to err on the side of caution whenever possible. The following characteristics are ones that specialists advise keeping an eye out for:

• Talk to an adult if you are worried about your safety in any way. You should get treatment if your friend is hurting themselves, has talked about injuring themselves, or is displaying indicators that they might injure others.
• The longer an individual struggles with an eating disorder, the more difficult it is for them to overcome; therefore, they must get help as soon as possible if they suspect one.
• A buddy needing emergency assistance for psychotic symptoms (such as hallucinations or irrational ideas) should not be left alone.
• You should probably talk to an adult if the problem seems too complex for you to handle. If you have any suspicions or feelings that something isn't right, that you might be too young for this information, or that someone else should share this responsibility with you, you should talk to a trusted adult at school or the teen's parents.
• You should talk to an adult if the stress of this friendship is affecting your mental health. You should get help for yourself and your companion if you have experienced an increase in anxiety, are exhibiting indications of despair, or are considering self-harm.

How To Get Help Without Betraying Your Friend

An important barrier to therapy is the fear of telling on a friend who has confided in you. There is a method that does not involve telling on somebody. The key is openness and transparency. Consider these points as you bring up the topic with your friend:

• Explain why you think an adult needs to be involved. Tell them how much you care about them and why they need more help now.
• Depending on the circumstances, it could be useful or appropriate to volunteer to sit in on the chat between the adult and the child. Although I hope that no adolescent ever feels compelled to act as a buffer, I recognise that there may be circumstances in which one feels capable of doing so.

This could be a difficult situation if your buddy with mental health issues asks you not to inform an adult, despite your concerns and your want to tell an adult. This can be quite trying, and you should do what you can to protect your friendship. However, your friend's well-being and security supersede anything else.

Try validating your worth if you're struggling. It's normal to be concerned about how your friend will respond when they find out you told an adult about what happened, but remember that you're doing what you believe to be best for your friend, yourself, and your friendship in the long term.

Conclusion

Helping a friend who is having problems with their mental health is important for their healing and quality of life. It's important to be a trustworthy and caring friend, not a doctor or problem solver. It's important to make a place where they can feel safe and not worry about being judged.

This manual will talk about different ways to help people in the right way, recognise different mental health disorders, communicate properly, and know when to talk to a professional.

Figuring out if someone has mental health problems is harder than figuring out if they have a diagnosis. Finding out if someone has a diagnosis is less important than showing concern for their pain. Even though many conditions have similar signs, no two people with mental illness act the same.

There are a lot of ways to help someone with mental health problems. Getting rid of false beliefs about mental health can help you help people in the best way possible.

Spreading information about mental health and helping with treatments, appointments, and medicines can help you recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems. Helping you with treatments, visits, and medications can help you understand the treatment process and find a good provider.

Reaching out to someone and showing them you care can help them feel less alone and embarrassed. It's important to remember that you have emotional needs, too, and that your mental health treatment should be your top priority.

If someone tells you they are thinking about killing themselves or don't want to live anymore, you should urge them to get help as soon as possible. Family, friends, and mental health professionals can all offer help.

Lastly, it's important not to be there all the time, put your own life in danger to protect someone else or stay in a relationship that doesn't make you happy. It's important to remember that you can't be fully responsible for another person's mental well-being.

Your friend may make you feel worse about your guilt and make you think that you are the only one who can help. Sometimes it's best to step back so your friend can start getting help from a skilled mental health professional. 

If a friend says they are going to hurt themselves or you because of something you did, you should talk to an adult right away. When a friend starts telling you about big problems, it makes sense to be on the safe side.

Experts say that you should talk to an adult if you are worried about your safety or if your friend is hurting themselves, has talked about hurting themselves, or is showing signs that they might hurt others.

If your friend is having psychotic symptoms and needs help right away, talk to an adult. You should also talk to an adult if the problem seems too big for you to handle, if you think something is wrong, or if the stress of the friendship is hurting your mental health.

A big problem with therapy is the fear of telling on someone, which makes it hard to get help without hurting a friend. There is a way to help someone without betraying them, but the key is to be open and honest.

Consider describing why an adult needs to be involved, how much you care about them, and why they need more help right now.

If your friend with mental health problems asks you not to tell an adult, it is important to protect your friendship. If you're having a hard time, try to remind yourself that you're doing what's best for you, your friend, and the bond in the long run.

Content Summary

• Supporting a friend with mental health issues is essential and doesn't discriminate based on gender, age, or socioeconomic status.
• Being there for your friend during tough times can make a significant difference in their recovery and quality of life.
• Understand that you don't need to be a therapist or solve their problems, but create a non-judgmental environment for them.
• This resource will guide you in becoming a trustworthy and compassionate companion on your mental wellness journey.
• Identifying mental health issues can be challenging, but responding compassionately to their distress is crucial.
• Knowing the signs and symptoms of various mental disorders can help you recognise when someone needs help.
• Talking to your friend about their problems is the first step in offering support and assistance.
• Social support plays a vital role in aiding individuals with mental health issues.
• Learning about the treatment and management of mental illnesses can be beneficial for both the person and their support network.
• Offer to accompany your loved one to their doctor's appointments or help them make necessary arrangements.
• In cases of a mental health crisis, urgent professional help may be required.
• Reminding your friend to take their medication and supporting their treatment can be helpful.
• Encouraging a healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise, and sleep, can contribute to their well-being.
• Reach out to someone who is struggling to make them feel less isolated and spread positivity.
• Caring for someone with mental health issues can be emotionally demanding; prioritise your own mental health too.
• If someone you know expresses suicidal thoughts, encourage them to seek professional help immediately.
• Avoid putting yourself in danger while supporting your friend; your well-being matters too.
• Recognize that you can't be solely responsible for their emotional well-being, and it's okay to seek professional help.
• If your friend threatens self-harm or harm to others, inform a trusted adult immediately.
• Seek help from an adult when you're unsure about how to handle a situation or if your safety is at risk.
• Early intervention is crucial for eating disorders; encourage your friend to seek help promptly.
• Don't leave a friend with severe psychotic symptoms unattended; seek immediate help.
• If you're unsure about dealing with a complex situation, consult a trusted adult.
• If the friendship is causing mental health strain, seek help for both yourself and your friend.
• You can get help for your friend without betraying their trust by being open and transparent.
• Explain to your friend why involving an adult is necessary and show your care and concern for them.
• In certain cases, it might be appropriate to offer to accompany your friend to the conversation with an adult.
• Balancing your friend's well-being with protecting your friendship can be challenging, but prioritise their safety.
• Remember that telling an adult is for the long-term benefit of your friend, yourself, and your friendship.
• Offering support during tough times doesn't require you to be an expert but to be empathetic and understanding.
• Mental health struggles are unique to each individual, so tailor your support accordingly.
• Seeking professional help early on can prevent further difficulties in managing mental health issues.
• Your emotional support and presence can be immensely reassuring for your friend.
• Be open to discussing mental health topics to create a safe space for your friend to express themselves.
• Educating yourself about mental health disorders can help you be more understanding and supportive.
• Encourage your friend to seek medical advice if they encounter problems with their medication.
• Engaging in everyday activities and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can positively impact mental well-being.
• Joining support groups with others who understand your situation can provide comfort and guidance.
• Addressing suicidal thoughts should be done with compassion and encouragement to seek professional help.
• Focus on being present and attentive when offering support to your friend with mental health issues.
• Understand that mental health struggles are not a sign of weakness or personal failure.
• Don't hesitate to seek help if you suspect your friend is in danger or experiencing a crisis.
• Encourage open communication to build trust and create a safe environment for your friend.
• Your friend's mental health is not your sole responsibility; seek professional help when needed.
• Be understanding and patient with your friend as they navigate their mental health journey.
• Remind your friend of the importance of taking their prescribed medication consistently.
• Promote self-care and encourage your friend to prioritise their mental well-being.
• Offer emotional support without judgment, making your friend feel accepted and heard.
• Recognise the potential impact on your own mental health when supporting a friend and seek help if necessary.
• Trust your instincts; if you feel overwhelmed or unsure, reach out to a trusted adult for guidance.