A massive problem even in today’s society is that people still shrug off mental health. While there are some people in the world who use it as an excuse to get out of things and are actually fine, there are millions of people all over the globe who are suffering terribly with what’s going on in their heads. A large part of the reasons that it’s ignored is because you can’t always see that someone is suffering. However, if you know someone who is and you’d like to help them, take a look at these tips on how to relate to them and also offer them the best advice possible.
Photo by kevin laminto on Unsplash
Walk a mile in their shoes
Sometimes, simply gaining clarity on everything that person has to deal with can open up a whole new world of reasons as to why this person might be suffering. Think about what they do each and every day and ask yourself if you could cope with it. Being able to see the world through someone else’s eyes might show you why they’re feeling the way they are. Remember that there is always things that you won’t see, even if you’re close to that person. A friend who is suffering might be dealing with something they can’t speak about like domestic violence or even struggling to conceive a baby. Encourage them to open up so that you can try and help and offer moral support.
Encourage them to seek help
The very first thing that you should do when you discover that someone is having mental health difficulties is encourage them to seek professional help. While there are many things that you could be doing to help them, it’s important to make sure that they are seeking advice from someone who has trained in the field. Take a look at these online counseling masters degrees to see how much training professionals go through and you’ll realise that this should always be the first port of call when it comes to helping your loved one.
Always remain open minded
One of the worst things for someone suffering to hear is that they’re “being ridiculous”. As mentioned earlier, you never truly know what someone is going through and unless you’ve experienced that particular issue yourself, you won’t understand why it’s such a big deal. Always try to remain open minded so that the person you’re trying to help feels like they can talk to you about their issues, no matter how weird it might seem to you. Remember that just because you can’t see mental health, it doesn’t mean that it’s not there and not very real to that person. Even something as small as a fear of spiders can take over someone’s life, where to you it might seem strange.
Use these tips to help you guide and care for someone who is struggling with mental health. Always remember that professional help should be sought sooner rather than later so that they can get themselves on the road to recovery as soon as possible!
Speak Your Mind