Contributor
The terms “mental health” and “behavioral health” refer to the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being of people. It is directly related to the way people think, feel, and act.
ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH
- Make time without distractions – It is important to provide an open space, without prejudice and without distractions.
- Give them the freedom to share as much or as little as they choose – Allow them to guide the conversation at their own speed. Don’t pressure them to tell you something they are not willing to talk about. Talking can take a lot of confidence and courage. You might be the first person they’ve had the opportunity to speak with about this.
- Don’t try to diagnose or guess your feelings – While you may be happy to speak up and offer support, you are not a trained counselor. Try not to make assumptions about what is wrong or intervene too quickly with your own diagnosis or solutions.
- Keep the questions open – Say “Why don’t you tell me how you feel? Instead of saying, “I can see you’re in pain.” Give the person time to respond and try not to cross-examine them with too many questions.
- Talk about wellness – Talk about ways to de-stress or practice self-care and ask if they find anything helpful. Exercising, eating a healthy diet, and getting a good night’s sleep can help protect mental health and maintain well-being.
- Pay attention to what they have to say – Repeat what you have been told to make sure you understand. You don’t have to agree with what they say, but by showing them that you understand how they feel, you are letting them know that you respect their feelings.
- Offer help in seeking professional support and provide information on ways to do so – You may want to offer assistance in finding a therapist, or help them talk to a friend or family member. Allow them to make their own decisions rather than taking command.
- Know your limits – Call for help or signaling if the problem is serious. If you think they are in immediate danger or have injuries that need medical attention you should take steps to make sure they are safe.
For more information on mental health conditions view the topics at www.mhrcet.org.
See additional list of resources at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).