How Can You Help A Loved One Cope with Mental Health Issues?

It is estimated that approximately 600,000 Australians suffer from mental health issues today. Mental illnesses can severely affect a person’s moods, thoughts, behaviours, and actions. Hence, it is important to handle them with patience and care.

Being diagnosed with a serious mental health issue such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder can come as a huge shock to you and your loved one.

However, please remember that every mental health issue can be treated with the right support. Being a family member, you are an invaluable resource who can deal with your loved one’s behaviour at home and encourage them to seek therapy.

Follow the advice below to help your loved one cope with mental health issues.

1. Educate yourself first

Educating yourself is the basis of providing support. This means that the foremost step in caring for your loved one with a mental health issue is to be fully aware of the symptoms and how they can affect your family member’s daily life. Not knowing the symptoms can prevent you from providing timely and effective help. However, being educated will help you to be more empathetic and improve communication with your loved one. It will also allow you to not keep any unrealistic expectations about the speed of recovery, hence, avoiding misunderstandings.

2. Encourage your loved one to seek professional help

If you witness impulsive behaviour or mood shifts in your family member, handle the matter delicately. Express your concern to them patiently and encourage them to see a therapist. If they are hesitant to seek help, explain to them the advantages of doing so or offer to accompany them. If they have social anxiety and are reluctant to go out, you can also give them the choice of opting for in-home therapy sessions.

Ongoing therapy and counseling sessions can treat mental health issues. However, participants often become discouraged due to the constant shifts in moods and behaviours. Once your family member has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, you must keep a check on them and encourage them to seek therapy regularly. If your loved one’s condition deteriorates suddenly, please reach out for support.

If you need information regarding Allied Health in Brisbane or other services that you can avail for your loved one, please feel free to visit Complete Connect’s website.

3. Let your loved one have control

People diagnosed with mental health diseases often suffer from low self-esteem. Hence, you must give them space to take control of certain situations and decisions. Please treat them with respect and calmness despite the intensity of their health condition. If your family member feels like doing a task or activity that is difficult for them, do not refuse immediately. Also, if they do not feel comfortable performing a specific task, please do not force them to do it. This will shatter their trust in you and might worsen their condition.

4. Be calm and patient

Patience is the key to handling people diagnosed with mental health issues. It can and will get tough at times, but if you remain patient, you can get through to them. Your actions and behaviours can significantly impact your loved one’s symptoms, so try your best to be composed around them,

5. Prioritize yourself too

You can face several challenges while taking care of your family member which can affect your mental health too. Please do not forget to take out time for yourself. Go for a morning walk, watch your favourite TV show, or meet your friends. Only if you look after yourself will you be able to care for your loved one!

Looking for help?

Complete Connect, one of the most trusted and leading NDIS providers, offers several services and supports with the primary objective of relief. Whether you are suffering from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or any other mental health condition, need in-home assistance or immediate therapy, Complete Connect’s team can significantly improve your health conditions.

They offer several services, including but not limited to:

• Allied Health in Brisbane
• Community Nursing
• Specialist Support Coordination
• Daily Support
• Community Access and Participation
• Home Care

If you wish to avail these services for your loved one, please feel free to contact them. Their skilled and knowledgeable team will cater to all your needs. You can also visit their website for additional information.