Apparently, it was Mental Health Awareness Week last week, it had more or less passed me by, I just happened to see a reference to it on FB a day or 2 ago (when it was already over!). I know various celebs occasionally mention in some interview or other that we should all be more mindful of the fact that lots of people suffer with mental health problems....depression, stress, anxiety, OCD, agoraphobia, bipolar, social phobia, and so on - but how does that help, in a practical sense? Does anybody who hasn't actually suffered any of these problems themselves, or had a close friend or family member who does, know how to help - or even cope with - someone who does suffer? I think most people who haven't had experience (directly or indirectly) of mental health problems have very little idea - and I think men in particular are clueless about it. Certainly in my experience anyway. Because they're not as in touch with their emotions as women, they feel embarrassed about any 'emotional' stuff, they'd rather run a mile than get involved in any touchy, feely, weepy, angry or awkward stuff, I'm guessing.
Perhaps there ought to be one of those 'An Idiot's Guide to.....' help manuals about mental health stuff - what to say or do (or not, as the case may be!) in order to help someone who's suffering. Or even just how to cope with or act around them!
A few people in my life could certainly do with such a book.
That is a good idea. A what to look for guide and how to react to what we say when we are in the depths that would be helpful and kind.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea. I expect there are pamphlets available at GP's or clinics, but sometimes that can be too late, and things have reached crisis point. It would be helpful to know what to say/not say/do/when someone is having problems, so things don't escalate. xx
ReplyDeleteI think I've been quite lucky in that I've never had more than a very minor bout but very close family members have suffered pretty badly. A guide would have been very helpful all round really. xx
ReplyDeleteMaking the problem more public takes some of the stigma away…my daughter helps raise money on her book blog for brain injury awareness…she was injured several years ago as an adult and still has lasting symptoms…the more we make others aware, the sooner someone will look into helping others…same with breast cancer, etc…I totally agree until one has dealt with this disease in one’s family it is not
ReplyDeleteeasy to understand…I have had several relatives with mental illness…prayers…
My Hubby suffers from depression and actually made his doctor appointment all on his own. He realized something was definitely wrong.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Brenda is right that raising awareness and reducing stigma helps hugely, but as for helping others - even if you have understanding/experience it can still be difficult to impossible to help someone, especially as mental helth issues are complex and everyone is different.
ReplyDeleteI think 'An Idiots Guide to Mental Health' would be a best seller and be put into a lot of peoples Christmas stockings whether they wanted it or not!!
ReplyDeleteThere is a mental health first aid course which my employer has sent quite a lot of us on- it has definitely helped raise awareness and also helped me with what to say and what not to say. Kay
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