Talking to someone struggling with mental health issues is a sensitive and important matter. It is essential to be understanding and supportive in a non-judgemental and helpful manner. You should always take extra care to use language that is caring and compassionate, and remember to be patient, understanding and accepting. Be prepared to actively listen, offer your help and encourage them to get help from a professional if needed.
Setting the tone
When talking to someone struggling with mental health issues, it’s important to set the right tone. Try to be understanding and supportive, without being patronizing or dismissive.
Speak to the person in a gentle, non-judgemental manner. Avoid making assumptions or giving advice before they have explained their full story. It’s also important to remember that mental health affects everyone differently and to respect the person’s individual experiences.
It can be helpful to check-in with the person and ask how they’re feeling.
Encourage them to express their feelings, and to be patient if they take a while to do so. Let them know that you are there if they need to talk, and that you will listen without judgement. Ask permission before offering advice and be respectful when they do not want to share personal details.
When offering advice, don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and share your own experiences. Be compassionate, understanding and patient in your response. Help the person to focus on self-care, and to move forward with their journey towards better mental health.
What Not to Say
When talking to someone dealing with mental health issues, it is important to be mindful of what you say. Using judgemental language, such as ‘snap out of it’ or ‘just get over it’, is not only unhelpful but can be damaging. It is important to remember that mental health is a real and often debilitating illness, and it is not something to be taken lightly.
It is important to avoid giving blanket advice without any knowledge of the person’s situation, such as ‘just do some exercise’ or ‘take this medication’.
It is important to be supportive and understanding in order to create a safe space for conversation. It is important to be a good listener and allow the person to express their emotions without judgement.
They should be encouraged to open up, and it is important to make sure they know they are not alone. Offering to do something that can help, such as providing a listening ear or researching treatments, can be more effective than just providing advice. It is important to be mindful of what is helpful and what might be seen as intrusive or unhelpful.
The most helpful thing to do is to simply be a source of support and understanding.
Showing patience and compassion can help to make the person feel empowered to take control of their situation, and make them feel less isolated or overwhelmed. It is important to remember that talking about mental health can be difficult and uncomfortable, and can be a source of anxiety for some. Being supportive and understanding can go a long way in helping someone struggling with mental health issues.
Judgemental Language
When talking to someone struggling with their mental health, try to avoid using judgemental or critical language. This can include phrases such as ‘you should’, ‘you need to’, and ‘you must’, as these can put undue pressure on the person and make them feel as though they are being lectured or judged. Try to focus on the individual’s feelings and make them feel heard and supported.
It’s also important to avoid offering ‘quick fix’ solutions, such as telling someone to ‘just get over it’ or ‘snap out of it’.
Mental health issues are often complex and layered, and can’t be simply fixed with a few words of advice. Try to lend a listening ear and be understanding.
Be careful of trivialising the situation with phrases like ‘it could be worse’, or ‘it’s not that bad’. Each individual’s situation is unique and valid, and it’s important to respect and acknowledge this rather than diminishing it. Try to focus on validating their emotions and helping them to find a resolution.
Unhelpful Language
When speaking to someone who is struggling with mental health issues, it is important to avoid unhelpful language. This includes any language that might be interpreted as being dismissive, offensive, or not understanding of their situation.
It can be tempting to try to make light of the situation, or to offer advice that may not be helpful, but it is important to understand that each person’s situation is unique and to approach the conversation with empathy and understanding. It is important to avoid asking intrusive or personal questions. This can make the person feel uncomfortable and can be seen as unsupportive.
It is also important to avoid offering unsolicited advice, as this can be seen as intrusive and can make the person feel overwhelmed or dismissed. It is important to avoid offering “quick fixes”.
It is not helpful to suggest that the person just “snap out of it” or to tell them to “just try to be happy”. Mental health issues are complex and require a supportive and understanding approach. Offering quick fixes or unsolicited advice can do more harm than good.
What to Say
When talking to someone with mental health issues, it is important to be understanding and supportive. Speak to them in a kind and compassionate manner, avoiding judgemental language.
Having an empathetic attitude will help to foster a positive relationship. Let the person know that you are there to listen and that you care. Encourage open communication and try not to pressure them to talk if they are not ready.
Offer practical help and advice to the person if they need it. This could include helping them to find the right support services or providing simple tasks that can help build their confidence.
If the person wants to talk, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Try to understand what they are going through and how you can help.
Be patient and remember that it’s OK if there are times when the person just needs to talk and not necessarily receive advice.
It is also important to recognize when the person needs time alone and to respect that. Let them know that it’s OK to take time for themselves, and that you are there when they are ready. Letting them know that you care and that you are there to support them will show them that they are not alone in their struggle.
Being Supportive
Being supportive of someone struggling with mental health issues is key in helping them cope and heal. Supportive language can build trust, comfort, and help foster a sense of safety. It is important to be open and understanding, offering words of affirmation and asking questions to get to know them better.
Showing empathy and understanding can be very comforting, and showing you care can make a world of difference.
Use positive language, and focus on what the individual is doing right, rather than what they are doing wrong. Acknowledge their accomplishments, and encourage them to take small steps towards progress. Offer to help with tasks that may be difficult for them, and be encouraging when they do complete them. Remind them that you are always there for them, and that it is okay to talk about their struggles.
Listening
Listening to someone’s story without judgement or having any other agenda is a great way to show your support. When you listen, try to be present and focused. Avoid multitasking or looking away.
This shows that you are really listening. Keep the conversation focused on the person’s feelings, and try to resist the urge to immediately provide advice or solutions.
Ask open-ended questions to guide the conversation and be sure to respect the person’s right to privacy. Offer a comforting presence and be patient with the person, allowing them the time to tell their story in their own way. Show that you are willing to offer care and understanding, no matter how long it takes.
Offering Help
When supporting someone with mental health issues, it’s important to offer help in a way that the person can accept. Don’t pressure them or make them feel obligated to accept your help – simply make the offer and let them know that you are there for them if they need it. It’s important to be specific when offering help.
Ask the person what they need and offer to do something that you can realistically commit to. It can be helpful to check-in with them regularly to make sure that they are getting the help and support they need.
Be mindful of the language you use. Use the person’s own language to show that you are listening and understanding them.
Don’t offer advice unless it’s asked for, and if you do offer advice, make sure it’s based on understanding and empathy.
Let them talk about their feelings, and help them to problem solve and develop coping strategies. Be sure to take care of yourself as well.
You can’t provide help to someone else if you’re not taking care of yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for support if you are feeling overwhelmed by the situation. Having a support system is key to being able to offer helpful and meaningful support to those in need.
Conclusion
It may feel difficult to know how to support someone with mental health issues. It’s important to be understanding and to avoid judgemental and unhelpful language.
Showing empathy and being supportive is key. Make sure to come from a place of compassion and be patient with the person.
Listen to what they have to say and encourage them to talk about their feelings. Offer your help if they need it and provide suggestions on how they could get further assistance. Be sure to let them know that they are not alone and that you are there for them.