While many believe that mental illness is just an internal struggle within the self, the truth is that the perspectives and attitudes of others towards goals with mental illness can make a difference to them and improve their condition.
This means we can make a difference in their lives by actively trying to be a part of it and displaying empathy instead of just leaving them to fend for themselves.
Most of us have misconceptions of mental illness that make us apprehensive, if not afraid, to take care of those with mental illnesses. These misconceptions are a double-edged sword because not only are people not willing to take care of them and look down upon people with mental illness, but they also prevent those with these illnesses from getting better. We should strive to make a difference and begin changing our perspective, such as buying books on justice for intellectually-disabled people.
How Do We Make A Difference and Care For People With Mental Illnesses?
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Be Open To Them
We should be open to them, and when we talk to them, we should not appear as if we are withholding information from them or treating them with kid gloves. Oftentimes, this is what people with mental illness will comment on: that they feel like they are not treated the same way other people are treated, and it can be a hindrance to their communication and openness with you. This means that if we genuinely want them to be able to open up to us, we have to be transparent and open with them as well.
Conversely, choosing to be open to them is not a one-way street of us telling them everything. It also means that we allow them to voice out what they truly feel and their opinions. We should also allow them to be open to us by giving them a nonjudgmental environment.
Show Empathy
Empathy means being able to put ourselves in another person’s shoes. This means picturing life the way they see it, allowing ourselves to feel the same emotions. However, before we can show empathy, it is important that we listen actively to them because it is only through that that they will share their true experiences and be open to you about them to make a difference.
We should create a safe space for them to share their thoughts and feelings without judgment while allowing them to feel like we are there for them. When you show empathy, it can also make a difference to acknowledge and validate their emotions. Aside from that, most of us think that showing empathy to other people also means giving them help. However, when we say show empathy, we focus more on their feelings and emotions before giving them a tangible solution. This is very important when you are still building a relationship with them.
Offer Them Tangible Help
As mentioned earlier, we try to offer them tangible help after acknowledging their feelings and validating that it is alright for them to feel a certain way. Rushing to provide tangible help right away may come off as dismissive or telling them their emotions do not matter.
One thing to focus on is the word tangible itself. Tangible means something doable within and within that person’s ability. For example, if we want to encourage them to seek professional help but know that they do not have the funding to do so, we should look for other means to allow them to get the money to do it. For example, some therapists offer free therapy sessions or help them charge an insurance company for the sessions. This allows you to make a difference since they are more likely to do what you suggested and value your opinion more.
Encourage and Offer Assistance with Self – Care
Many people with mental illness struggle to do some of the most basic tasks like brushing their teeth, taking a bath, and finding time to eat and likes. Because of this, it is vital to know the current situation of the person with mental illness. It is also wrong to intervene and do everything right away for that person because sometimes that can form some form of reliance, which is also not good for them.
Finding out what they can and cannot do, encouraging them to do what they can, and offering assistance with the things they struggle with are already a big help. For example, suppose we know that they often forget to take their medicines. Instead of being the ones personally who will take over doing and preparing everything related to medicines, we can remind them to take their medicines first.
This can make a difference because it allows that person to continue maintaining independence in doing what they can. Would you like to learn ways how to help those with mental illness by getting a glimpse of a person’s experience with mental illness? Read Laughter at Dawn by Jo Ellen Capps Layne!
