Conversation Starters
To help your friend or family member who is experiencing mental health challenges, speak up and start the conversation. Here are a few ideas:
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Reassure them. Let them know that they are not alone; that you care and will continue to support them.
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Encourage them to open up. Reassure them that it is ok to talk openly about how they’re feeling.
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Listen carefully. Resist the urge to give advice or talk about your own experiences.
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Read up. Learn about their particular disorder to better understand what they may be experiencing.
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Stay in touch. Continuously reach out through regular phone calls, texts, Facebook messages and visits to help them feel less isolated.
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Be persistent. Invite them to dinner, movies, sporting events and other activities. Even if they refuse at first, continue to issue invitations periodically.
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Engage them in healthy activities. Invite them to stay involved in healthy and fun activities such as hobbies or sports. Offer to go on a walk together. Event talk to them about the importance of eating right, drinking lots of water and getting sleep.
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Talk about the future. People who are experiencing a mental illness may have feelings of hopelessness and have trouble seeing beyond their current state.
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Be patient. Don’t push for too much too soon. Understand that they have a legitimate medical condition and that healing takes time.
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Acknowledge improvements. Point out small signs of progress, such as saying, “It was nice to see you at the mall again last week.”
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Don’t ignore remarks about suicide. Take immediate action if your friend or family member appears to be in crisis. Call the Access & Crisis Line at (888) 724-7240 for help 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Videos:
This interactive video from What A Difference A Friend Makes that gives tips to young adults on how to support his or her loved one living with a mental illness.
