What do you do when someone is talking about their mental health?
There are some general strategies that you can use to help:
- Listen without making judgements and concentrate on their needs in that moment.
- Ask them what would help them.
- Reassure and signpost to practical information or resources.
- Avoid confrontation.
- Ask if there is someone they would like you to contact.
What should you not say to someone with mental health issues?
10 things not to say to someone with a mental illness
- “It’s all in your head.”
- “Come on, things could be worse!”
- “Snap out of it!”
- “But you have a great life, you always seem so happy!”
- “Have you tried chamomile tea?”
- “Everyone is a little down/moody/OCD sometimes – it’s normal.”
- “This too shall pass.”
Why is it so hard to talk about your mental health?
Mental health is difficult because it is so abstract, subjective, and vague. You can’t point at something that others can simply see. Usually, the only thing that others can see about your struggles with mental health are its effects – and even then, people can be blind to that, either unintentionally or intentionally.
Is it the other person’s fault if I find them annoying?
Your feelings of annoyance are not the other person’s fault. Your assessment of how annoying they are is merely your personal judgment and your subjective perspective, but not necessarily absolute reality. What you judge as annoying may be considered charming or inconsequential in other couples—or cultures.
How does feeling annoyed hurt your relationship?
Understand how feeling annoyed hurts your relationship. Whenever you feel annoyed, even if you keep it to yourself, you are making a judgment about the other person. Judging is an alluring path because it makes you feel self-righteous and “better than” someone.
How do I know if my friends are annoying?
Your assessment of how annoying they are is merely your personal judgment and your subjective perspective, but not necessarily absolute reality. What you judge as annoying may be considered charming or inconsequential in other couples—or cultures. And what you judge as annoying your friends may consider cute or charming.