How to Help Someone with a Mental Illness

By Areej Sultan
A mental illness can happen to anyone. It is at times caused by the environment around you or
rarely genes. A mental illness is a disorder that can cause minor to severe disturbances in thought
and/or behavior which causes a person not to cope with the days simple tasks and routines.
There are more than 200 classified forms of mental illness which are generously elaborated in
the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Some of the more common disorders
are depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, schizophrenia, anxiety and eating disorders.
There are a few symptoms or indicators that you must keep in mind that may appear during or
before the mental illness to your loved ones; such as detachment from loved ones, they may with
from daily routine or tasks, they may not be able to carry out lifes simple demands, often they
may be in a low or sad mood, they may experience mood swings and at times also your loved
one may start substance abuse.
Dealing with mental disorders is never easy. It can be hard for you and your loved ones to cope
with them. It is very important to keep in mind that anyone can experience mental health
problems. Friends and family can make a huge difference in a persons recovery process.

Ways to support those who have a mental health problem:

Seek professional help immediately when you start seeing the mental illnesss symptoms.
Educate yourself about the mental illness being face. This will help you anticipate what
would happen during the course of the illness.
Start dialogues, not debates. Denying the fact that your loved one is not ill will not solve
the problem rather it may progress the disorder further more.
Instead of guessing what helps: ask. There at times are general rule of thumbs we have
made when it comes to helping others may not work
Separate the person from the disorder when you feel anger or have any negative feelings.
Mental disorders affect more than the afflicted.
Acknowledge the remarkable courage and strengths your close ones may show when
dealing with a mental disorder.
Dont use clichs phrases like Cheer up, Im sure itll pass, Pull yourself together,
stop acting weird and its not a big deal to feel this way because they wont help.
Try to be open-minded and non-judgmental towards the person by lending an ear is the
important part.
Be friendly and compassionate with your loved ones

Ways to cope with those who have a mental health problem:

Seek counseling for yourself. The burden of dealing with a loved ones illness can be
enormously stressing.
Do not have un realistic expectations
Do not be embarrassed by the illness of your close ones. Embarrassment, social stigma
and fear can at times stops families from seeking professional help.
No one is to be blamed for the one who you love developing a mental illness.
Patience is a virtue. Things might get tough by the passage of time but you got to hang in
there.
There may be times when your needs and your loved one needs are conflicting and you
cannot decide whose needs should come first. Remember its okay to prioritize your own
needs sometimes.
Keep reminding yourself that you are not alone. There are people who will be always
around to help and pull you through the hard times. Sharing your thoughts and feelings to
others has always been helpful.
Allow yourself to have a regular time out.
Dont try to push yourself too much.