Tips on How to Tell a Loved One You’re Battling Mentally
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Welcome Back Sis…
We know often times women suffer in silence for fear of shame, guilt, and being looked at as less than but we pray by the end of this blog you will feel empowered!
So TODAY let your intention be “I will identify my needs and be liberated to ask for help! THAT is my superpower.”
Tips on talking to a loved one that is battling mental illness:
Sometimes I know it can be hard to talk about mental illness. Mental illness has become so taboo, but the reality is: it is something that we all have either dealt with ourselves or we know someone who has. According to mentalhealthfirstaid.org, in the United States approximately 46.4% of adults will experience mental illness in their lifetime. Also, in the United States only 41% of the people who had a mental disorder in the past year received professional health care or other services. That’s surprising, right? It makes you ask the question: why? From experience, I honestly believe that a lot of people aren’t knowledgeable of what exactly mental health is. So what exactly is Mental health? Mental health is related to a person’s psychological and emotional well-being. We all know someone who has said “oh he/she is just crazy”. They say it jokingly, but it goes unnoticed that issues with mental health can lead to disability, pain, and it can even lead to death. Yes, I said death! It isn’t really a joke and according to google, 8 million people die from mental illness each year... not a decade, but a year. You may be wondering how you can help with this taboo called mental illness. Well, you're in the right place!
Realize that being a person who wants to make someone aware that psychologically or emotionally you are not well, it does not mean you are weak. So below, I’ll be giving you tips on how to have that difficult conversation and ways to deal with mental health issues.
So, here it goes:
1. You always want to open with prayer. If you don't know how to pray, saying this quick prayer may help,” God I’m here with (name). God I thank you for their life. God I ask that you be here in this conversation and give both of us the ability to have a loving and open conversation. Lord I thank you for appointing this time here and now. Lord have your way right now in Jesus' name Amen”.
2. You then must allow the individual to express how they’re feeling, saving comments for once they are done expressing themselves. You want them to see that you truly care about their feelings and emotions
3. Once they have told you their life story this would be a nice time to express to them your mental health struggles, if you have any - but remember, it’s not about you.
4. Remember this is a serious conversation and condition. Make sure not to demean or belittle their feelings and emotions. Do not say things like “you’re just having a bad day” or “you're just overreacting”. It’s their mental health and they know how they feel so respect them and their feelings.
5. It’s important that they know you're committed to helping them at this time. Together, come up with a plan to put into action. An example of this would be to agree on “check-in” days where you guys can meet for lunch/coffee to talk and find out how one another is truly doing. Another action plan would be to suggest that the person give you a call anytime they are feeling down or just need someone to speak too. That's why the word says in Habakkuk 2:2-3, to write the vision make it plain so that it will be fulfilled. You see even God knows how important it is to have a vision and to have it in plain sight!
6. Please don’t be that person who tells everyone’s business. Dealing with mental illness is hard enough and tough on that person. So, I repeat: please be understanding and know that if they’re brave enough to tell you, that’s where it should stay.
7. Again, I understand there are so many layers to mental illness. I encourage you to do research on the subject to get a better understanding. Please make sure it’s coming from reliable sources such as government and health agencies. Below I’ve posted a few resources available to you that will help answer questions and provide more info.
8. Good questions to ask: if they’ve planned on hurting themselves or anyone else, ask them have they been seeing things or hearing voices. In the event they have, it’s now your responsibility to reach out to a professional and let them know what’s going on. You’re not a bad person, you’re a good friend. If they are actively looking to harm themselves call 911, and their doctor. Also there’s a hotline you can reach out to that will assist you 1-800-273-talk(8255).
10. Lastly remember that they are a person with feelings and emotions. So please try to be sensitive to their time in need.
We at the Loving Me Academy are committed to weathering this storm with you and your loved ones. If you need support, prayer, or someone to talk to, please feel free to reach out to us by email: info@lovingmeacademy.com or you can dm us directly on our social media platforms.
Scriptures to meditate on: (Philippians 4:6-71) (Peter 5:7) (Jonah 2:5-7) (Philippians 4:132) (Timothy 1:7)
Resources: National Institute for Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mentalillness.shtmlexternal
Icon: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/index.htm
Mental Health.govHome | MentalHealth.gov: https://www.publichealth.org/resources/mental-health/https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2019/02/5-surprising-mental-health-