Supporting Someone Close to You
If you have a family member or friend who has been diagnosed with a mental health condition, you are probably wondering what you can do to help. While new forms of therapy, medications, and community services help individuals to lead full, independent lives, support from family, friends, and peers remains an essential element in the recovery process.
There are many ways you can help someone with a mental health condition navigate the treatment system and work towards recovery. As in any relationship, emotional and practical support is always needed. Sometimes, knowing when and how to give support can be difficult to figure out.
Here are some tips for supporting someone close to you:
- Educate yourself about their condition and treatments.
- Recognize that your family member or friend may be scared and confused after receiving a diagnosis. Though some people are relieved to receive a diagnosis and actively seek treatment, it may feel devastating to others and bring on stressful feelings.
- Listen carefully to your family member or friend and express your understanding back to them. Validate the feelings they are experiencing and don’t discount them.
- Encourage your family member or friend to become an active member with his or her treatment team to gain knowledge about what treatments and services will help with recovery.
- Recognize that it may take time for your family member or friend to find treatment that works for them.
- Understand that recovery from mental health conditions isn’t simply a matter of “just staying on one’s medications.” Self-esteem, social support, and a feeling of contributing to society are also essential elements in the recovery process.
- Offer to go with your family member or friend to appointments and, if they want you to, help them discuss medication and side effects with their treatment team.
- Always respect the individual’s need for and right to privacy.