The Mental Health continuum above shows four things. The green and yellow one mean that your "issues" are able to be helped by either yourself, or parents, friends. The red and orange means you need "professional" help from someone trained and it is their job to help you.
4 Ways to Cope with Someone with Mental Health Problems
Talking to them. Having someone to talk to really helps because it gets the thoughts off their chest. Therapists, counsellors, even just some random stranger, it could be anyone. But some people aren't comfortable with that, so the next strategy could be better, actually, it could help more than talking anyways.
Making them write their thoughts out. It is a way to get it off your chest, and afterwards, you look at your "problems." That way, seeing them, it could potentially unlock some knowledge as to how to fix the issue. Or you could text someone, that way you can talk and see what is wrong.
Making them take the time to figure out why they are afraid of something, and make them "face it." Most people want to stay away from their fears, for obvious reasons, that is why writing things down can make you see how you can not be afraid, or simply see that your fear is stupid.
Having empathy for them. Meaning putting yourself in their shoes and telling them to try whatever you would do to rid of the mental health problem. Then suggest that solution, although they may not be willing to comply. A way for this to work is to get them to write their thoughts out, reading it, then acting.
Treating them Good. Make them aware that you care. Tell them that you will help, and got their back. Example: "I know you've been going through _______. I want you to know I am there for you and care for you." You don't know what they are dealing with, if someone takes something away from them, like trust, it is hard to build that back. Show them you are going to treat them good and are different from that person.
Active Contemplation: Meditation, mental prayer, etc. Taking the time to be alone and think, people rarely do this. It calms you and brings you to the moment. Finding a space to be alone and "find yourself." Sitting in a quiet room and just thinking, breathing, calming down, will get you in the present. Not worrying about your past or future, just being in the present.
Mental Health: A person's condition with regard to their psychological well-being. Like physical health, but in your mind. Self image, self-esteem, etc is all under the big umbrella known as Mental Health. Talking to yourself in a positive way, ignoring other negative feedback from people. If people are trying to bring you down that means you are above them, I'm sure you have heard that somewhere before.
To perhaps help someone greatly, tell them to go to 7cups.com. This website is a "help chat" where you can go with your problems and seek professional therapy (paid) or you can speak with a listener who can give advice (free). It is completely anonymous and has the same affects as both writing things down and talking to someone, plus they are trained people who can give advice to help resolve things that are affecting you such as; Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, etc.
Talking to them. Having someone to talk to really helps because it gets the thoughts off their chest. Therapists, counsellors, even just some random stranger, it could be anyone. But some people aren't comfortable with that, so the next strategy could be better, actually, it could help more than talking anyways.
Making them write their thoughts out. It is a way to get it off your chest, and afterwards, you look at your "problems." That way, seeing them, it could potentially unlock some knowledge as to how to fix the issue. Or you could text someone, that way you can talk and see what is wrong.
Making them take the time to figure out why they are afraid of something, and make them "face it." Most people want to stay away from their fears, for obvious reasons, that is why writing things down can make you see how you can not be afraid, or simply see that your fear is stupid.
Having empathy for them. Meaning putting yourself in their shoes and telling them to try whatever you would do to rid of the mental health problem. Then suggest that solution, although they may not be willing to comply. A way for this to work is to get them to write their thoughts out, reading it, then acting.
Treating them Good. Make them aware that you care. Tell them that you will help, and got their back. Example: "I know you've been going through _______. I want you to know I am there for you and care for you." You don't know what they are dealing with, if someone takes something away from them, like trust, it is hard to build that back. Show them you are going to treat them good and are different from that person.
Active Contemplation: Meditation, mental prayer, etc. Taking the time to be alone and think, people rarely do this. It calms you and brings you to the moment. Finding a space to be alone and "find yourself." Sitting in a quiet room and just thinking, breathing, calming down, will get you in the present. Not worrying about your past or future, just being in the present.
Mental Health: A person's condition with regard to their psychological well-being. Like physical health, but in your mind. Self image, self-esteem, etc is all under the big umbrella known as Mental Health. Talking to yourself in a positive way, ignoring other negative feedback from people. If people are trying to bring you down that means you are above them, I'm sure you have heard that somewhere before.
To perhaps help someone greatly, tell them to go to 7cups.com. This website is a "help chat" where you can go with your problems and seek professional therapy (paid) or you can speak with a listener who can give advice (free). It is completely anonymous and has the same affects as both writing things down and talking to someone, plus they are trained people who can give advice to help resolve things that are affecting you such as; Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, etc.
"Thou Shall not Misuse Technology for the Downfall of Others." We did this video to show that people can very easily hurt someone via technology. Saying "Hey man, you really suck at sports" could destroy someone, certain people already think horribly of themselves so having someone telling them to reinforce that thought, would push them even further down.
Active Listening Piece
Active listening is a way of listening and responding to another person that improves mutual understanding. Often when people talk to each other, they don't listen attentively. They are often distracted, half listening, half thinking about something else. Active listening is a communication technique used in counselling, training, and conflict resolution. It requires that the listener fully concentrate, understand, respond and then remember what is being said.
Examples
My Example: Thinking of a "good" response. If you just say whatever comes to mind first, that could hurt your conversation partner. Make sure whatever you are going to say next will show you care, it will not hurt them, and that they could actually answer it truthfully. If you say "Oh, so why does it matter?" they could be inclined to respond with "Oh, it doesn't matter, I was just saying something." But if you were to say; "So, how does this affect you? Like, what triggers your feelings, or what happens when they are triggered?" it is a more, "in depth" question so they are most likely going to answer it with a truthful answer because those kinds of questions show care and interest.
5 Questions:
"Is everything alright?"
"What's up? I noticed you have been acting differently."
"Is there anything I can do to help you through whatever is going on?"
"Have you talked to anyone about this? If you need to I am here."
"Is there something bothering you recently? I mean, you just haven't been the same."
- Demonstrating concern. Listening, asking questions, staying serious, not laughing are all good ways to show concern.
- Paraphrasing to show understanding. Basically taking what they say, and then rewording it, then asking them that back. Example: "So you say your boss is firing everyone, and you are worried he will fire you?" after they say: "My boss just got rid of Phil, Jordan, and Jack today!" you have to make sure that what you say is what they said, either simpler or more complex.
- Nonverbal cues which show understanding such as nodding, eye contact and leaning forward. This ensures that you are showing your utmost interest and respect. Doing this along with the verbal affirmations will definitely show that you are actively listening and participating in the conversation.
- Brief verbal affirmations like I see, I know, sure, or I understand. Leave brief pauses after you say that so that they have a chance to say something, and if they don't, proceed to ask another open-ended question. This brief pause will show you are thinking, and someone knows someone is thinking, it means they care.
- Asking open-ended questions. An open-ended question is designed to encourage a full, meaningful answer using the subject's own knowledge and/or feelings. It is the opposite of a closed-ended question, which encourages a short or single-word answer.
My Example: Thinking of a "good" response. If you just say whatever comes to mind first, that could hurt your conversation partner. Make sure whatever you are going to say next will show you care, it will not hurt them, and that they could actually answer it truthfully. If you say "Oh, so why does it matter?" they could be inclined to respond with "Oh, it doesn't matter, I was just saying something." But if you were to say; "So, how does this affect you? Like, what triggers your feelings, or what happens when they are triggered?" it is a more, "in depth" question so they are most likely going to answer it with a truthful answer because those kinds of questions show care and interest.
5 Questions:
"Is everything alright?"
"What's up? I noticed you have been acting differently."
"Is there anything I can do to help you through whatever is going on?"
"Have you talked to anyone about this? If you need to I am here."
"Is there something bothering you recently? I mean, you just haven't been the same."