Mental health how to help?

Mental health is a serious topic, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a bit of fun while discussing it. After all, laughter is the best medicine – except maybe for antibiotics when you’ve got strep throat. While mental illness affects millions worldwide, and it’s no laughing matter in and of itself. However, being able to help with someone who has mental issues might be easier than you think!

In this article, we’re going to give you some tips on how to actually assist people around us who are struggling with their emotional or psychological stability.

You as First-Aid

First things first: Before jumping into helping other individuals dealing with mental health issue(s), take your own self-care seriously! Be aware that intentionally putting yourself in situations where your life becomes too busy or stressful without allowing time out will not only make matters worse for those seeking solace from you but also dangerous for both parties involved!

Self-Care For better Aiding

When feeling burned out whether physically exhausted and/or stressed-out mentally from caregiving needs (we know guac is extra ‘but spare some energy & mindfulness nonetheless!), try these ideas below:

  • Take breaks whenever needed
  • Binge-watch an entire season of the show Friends again just because
  • Send a postcard-like letter (a real one) to someone whom you haven’t spoken/contacted in ages
  • Take up cooking basic meals that don’t require fuss over measurements/significant amounts of dull prep work/ cleaning efforts.

These simple warm-ups could bring color back into our lives and then provide calmness/proper care for anything more significant ahead like taking care immediate family member(s), co-worker, etc.

Understand Mental Illnesses

Have quick access to bits & bytes understanding about common grievances which some people may be having such as depression/anxiety/bipolar disorder/OCD etc. Though (obviously), you’re not expected to be an expert in any domain or given specific diagnosis of someone’s challenges/feelings/agony, having a fundamental understanding would help relate on familiar grounds/emotional levels:

(Some markdown tables for available information below)

Disorder Symptoms Treatments
Depression Hopelessness/helplessness/sadness/losing interest in usual activities. And pattern lasting at least 2 weeks, and may have abnormal sleeping/eating habits too. Talking therapy (CBT)/Prescribed medications if needed for altering chemical imbalances inside the brain
ADHD Trouble paying attention/hyperactivity/imaptience/fidgeting/disruption during communications/unorganized habit(s) & Time-management difficulties. Plus higher risk-taking behaviour/drug/alcohol use/moodiness and more common among school-going children reaching adulthood when not treated well on time. Stimulant medication/Counselling/Skill-building therapies like CBT/Mindfulness practices
GAD Excessive worrying over minor things/repetitive nagging thoughts which interfere with carrying out daily life without severe anxiety as parallel side effects: Headaches/Gastrointestinal symptoms i.e., nausea/diarrhea/cramping/etc./and irritability/disturbed sleep cycles since worries make difficult to rest easy properly! Prevention is primarily through managing stress by self-care techniques such as breathing exercises/yoga/meditation/changing negative self-talk/confronting distorted thinking patterns that lead to anxious behavior. Conventional methods include talking therapies such as CBT/Psychotherapy along prescription pharmaceutical treatments viz.: SSRI/SNRI antidepressants/Buspirone.)

Note: These data are just samples merely demonstrative enough towards presenting beneath are indications about illnesses types; whatever condition one has always consult with mental health professionals foremost rather than relying entirely upon Google articles.

Look out for behavioural changes

The reason to have some basic idea lists of common psychological issues/conditions a person/team might be facing at an early stage is that then we could notice ‘red flags’ i.e., telltale signs indicating something’s off with someone- by observing any deviations from their normal behavior patterns like:

  • Unusual sadness/fear levels so abrupt even after friendly greetings
  • Not wanting to participate since they do not enjoy activities they once did routinely
  • Distorted thinking or speech, such as being overly paranoid/fearing conspiracy theories against them.

Letting people know you care about them and reassuring in non-confrontational supportive ways that you’d always be around if needed can ultimately help lower the risk(s) of depression/anxiety/hopelessness/all these instances!

Just Be There

Sometimes all someone may need is just someone willing & interested enough to listen – much like this article here readers!
Regardless of whether it is having endless conversations via call or text messages exchanging memes/nonvolatile jokes, online battles while gaming together (Yes! Gaming addiction should not be mixed up with enjoying quality time), sharing hobbies or interest-based group sessions, offering emotional support without requiring anything else could provide many more positives than losing out by putting off interactions themselves.

Being there lets the person struggling feel seen and heard. It shows them that no matter what has happened aside till now or which one would happen in the future too inevitably-you’re opting for being present despite seeing through tough times when same friend isn’t capable enough anymore to rescue oneself once again!

Encourage Professional Help

It’s very crucial indeed To let those struggling with Mental health illnesses take immediate treatment steps right away when necessary/suggested by friends/family members/co-workers/therapists themselves because doing so facilitates quicker diagnoses raising chances/odds success rates concerning proper tailored treatments/safe medication protocols implementations ensuring recovery phases.

Whenever suggesting them professional help (if they’re not already taking some kind of psychological assistance), try reassuring with gentle reminders like providing useful links, connecting them with reliable resources such as Doctors/Counselors/Nurse practitioners or Advocacy organizations/Mental health care facilities that match requirements/insurance coverage limits.

Acceptance & Normalizing Neurodivergent behaviours

A huge part of the reason why people struggle to manage their mental illnesses is that there continues to be a stigma around mental illness. Many still believe that having any condition comes under “taboo topics” and therefore requires secrecy above all else. By doing this we not only harm ourselves but have persistent issues for the future— where acceptance encourages breaking down rooted prejudices!

Normalising different kinds of behaviour may lead everyone towards adopting better ideas about inclusivity which inevitably leads us further into making our social circle more authentic/friendlier corners in general simultaneously! It assures those living with specific health problems they are loved just as if it was a regular runny nose/swollen-eyed allergies / coughs sneezes!

To Sum Up

Providing aid without stigmatizing someone’s struggles means understanding what they need from you at different life-part stages acknowledging differences within humankind beyond age/gender/other stereotypes- embracing helpful hands even remotely could help anyone unsure/confused/mixed up feeling backed up on their feet easier than anything first entering person’s headspace.

Don’t forget:
• Mental health exists
• It affects many
• Appreciate your own self-care so you can support others effectively!
• Being present during tough times bolster bonding glue stronger between individuals concerned!
• Encourages close ones towards receiving necessary specialized attention for particular conditions -shows reliability around friends when required most!

Let’s spread positivity by accepting differences and standing strong, despite hardships/errors/etc., leading us closer each time together compared against judgments/false assumptions/random stereotypes indeed!

Thank You!!

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