Panache

People often feel confused and unaware of the things they can do to support someone struggling with any mental illness. They usually don’t know what to say or how to behave. Having a friend who is struggling with some condition is like walking on eggshells and restricting any behavior around them that can hurt them in one or many ways.

You do not need to overthink so much. Read on the list below of different ways in which you can help your friend who is struggling with mental illness. Honestly, it is not as hard as you assume.

Listen attentively

People who are dealing with mental illness often find it difficult to express them. However, therapy can help them understand what they are emotionally going through. They may feel a complicated set of emotions and it would be hard for them to explain it.

But you as a friend need to understand and listen to them attentively. People who have a hard time dealing with mental illness often do not trust anyone to open up to. Just listening to them without offering them any advice and validating their feelings, and emotions can have a positive effect on them.

Offering your time and empathy can also help your friend. Use empathy with affirmative sentences like, “It must be really hard for you.”, “I cannot begin to imagine the pain that you must be going through.”

Also read: Effective listening can change your life. Here’s how to practice it in your daily life.

Abstain from comparing your experiences.

To empathize with friends, we often start sharing our experiences with others. However, we need to understand that since two individuals are different, our pain is also different. Do not try to over-write the situation by mentioning similar pain or experience that you or your family member might have gone through.

Offer a smooth Conversation.

People dealing with mental illness are often extremely fragile personalities. Hence, we need to have a smooth and optimistic conversation with them. Try to conduct the conversation in an easy and unbiased environment. Make them feel more accepted in the conversation.

Doing all of that can have a positive effect on them. And once they become more trusting of the environment and the people, it will be easier for them to open up.

There is nothing wrong with asking for help.

With all the stigma spread about mental health and mental illness, it is hard for a person to ask for help in any situation. They often blame themselves and think there is something wrong with them.

However, as an emotionally aware person, we can remind them that if they are severely affected by mental conditions, there is nothing wrong with asking for help. And the assistance is always available. Remind them that, with the help of a mental health advisor, they can understand their situation and feelings better.

Have Patience with them.

It is not easy to deal with a person who is either depressed, has anxiety, or, may be struggling with other mental illnesses. They may have outbursts, scared of certain things, or not complete their regular tasks appropriately. But don’t forget that they are struggling and be patient with them.

Being patient and caring towards them will have a positive effect on them. And they would gradually change their attitude.

Help them with little things.

Friends often find themselves helpless when it comes to helping a mentally ill person. While they are processing a range of emotions, finding a middle ground, and trying to understand themselves better, we can also assist them by doing smaller things.

In such situations, we should know that recovering from any mental illness takes a lot of time. And we should offer them as much support as possible. Like cooking their favorite dish for them, doing their laundry, cleaning, and re-decorating their environment. These little things can give them hope and they would not feel alone anymore.

Research about their condition

Not all mental illnesses are the same. If your friend is diagnosed with depression, you can try to understand what type of depression they have. Try to educate yourself on the topic. Enlighten yourself about the facts and myths about it.

You can look for online communities with people struggling with the same condition and see how they have dealt with the same. You can research on the internet or read books based on it. You can also contact their therapist and ask them how to offer your support. I am sure they would appreciate that.

Don’t forget to recharge.

It is not easy to live with a person with mental illness. If they are your roommates, your partner, your friends, or your colleagues, the heavy energy can take a toll on you too. It is when you should remember to recharge yourself.

Remind yourself, that you can only offer help when you are healthy and in an optimistic state. If you need a break away from them, try to take a break but let them know that you will be there for them. That way, they won’t feel like a burden to you.

Keep an optimistic attitude.  

Some people struggle with their mental conditions for a longer time. In that case, they might feel hopeless and burnt out. As their friends, we can remind them with little nuggets of encouragement. Tell them that they have the power to get over it.

Our optimistic attitude can create a great difference in their attitude and perception of their mental illness.

Don’t forget your depressed friends.

A major symptom of depression is they cut themselves off from friend groups and social situations. In that case, don’t forget to include them in your regular plans and social gatherings. But don’t pressure them to do anything. You can let them know that the options are open and they can join you whenever they like.

Let us know how you help your friends when they are feeling depressed. Which of the above methods did you find easiest to follow?

Also Read: 10 Underrated Ways of Selfcare.

Also Read: How to Reparent yourself to heal your Inner Child?