Here's how to give your support to people experiencing with mental illness
Many people are impacted by a mental illness. In fact, one in five Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year. Whether you know someone personally who experiences a mental health challenge, it is important that we all learn to support those who do.
Mental Health Awareness month can help those with a mental illness overcome the stigma and receive the treatment they need. Overcoming the stigma behind mental illness starts with us. Here are a few ways to stop the stigma:
• Educate yourself on mental illness to learn about the prevalence, different mental health conditions, risk factors and warning signs.
• Do not support media or TV shows that use stigmatizing language and behaviors portraying people with a mental health condition in an aggressive or violent way.
• Stop using stigmatizing language such as “crazy” or “bipolar.”
• Stop being afraid of those with a mental illness and believing they will act violent.
• Know that recovery is possible.
There are other opportunities during the month of May to start supporting those with a mental illness.
Learn how to check-in. It is important to always reach out to family members or loved ones and ask questions. For example, “How is your stress level lately?” “Is there anything you want to talk about?” or “What can I do for you?”
Don’t assume you know what the person needs. Listen carefully to what the person is sharing with you. Show you understand what they are saying by repeating it back to them.
Encourage treatment. Offer to help them reach out to professional help. If they are struggling to go, offer to accompany them to their first appointment.
Continue to provide emotional support. It is important to continue to check-in, even after they seek professional help. Knowing they have your support can make them feel less alone.
Engage in self-care. To be equipped to offer support to others, it is important to take care of yourself. Self-care practices such as movement, eating a balanced diet, relaxation and sleep will help take care of yourself to support those around you.
Bringing awareness to mental health this May starts with us by stopping the stigma, supporting those with a mental illness and encouraging professional help. If your a loved one is suffering from a mental illness, you are not alone. Take the time to reach out and seek professional help.
Valeo’s Crisis Center, 400 S.W. Oakley Ave., never closes. It is a walk-in emergency clinic with no appointment necessary. Valeo’s 24-Hour Crisis Line is 785-234-3300.
Laura Sidlinger, is the director of medical services at Valeo Behavioral Health Care.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Give support to others this Mental Health Awareness month and after
