World Mental Health day falls on the 10th October every year and this year’s theme is ‘Mental health is a human right’. It was created by the World Federation of Mental Health that aims to raise awareness of mental health. It also gives many the opportunity to talk about what mental health actually is and how we look after not only our own, but those around us too.
The Mental Health Foundation are encouraging people to go for a Tea & Talk to campaign for mental health awareness, but there are other ways you can get involved in World Mental Health Day.
What is mental illness?
A mental illness is a brain based condition that affects many factors in an individual’s life. This can range from thoughts, emotions, behaviour and sometimes, even physically. According to Mind UK, 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem each year and 1 in 6 people experience a common mental problem such as anxiety and depression in any given week, which means mental illnesses are a lot more common than you might think. There are more than 200 forms of mental illnesses, and some are more prominent than others.
Signs someone is struggling with their mental health
There are signs that may become noticeable in those who are struggling with their mental health or are currently dealing with mental health problems. These can vary from the following:
- Feeling sad or down
- Insomnia
- Excessive anger or hostility
- Extreme mood changes
- Low energy & fatigue
- Major changes in eating habits
- Withdrawal from friends & family
- Inability to cope with either stress or daily activities
- Sex drive changes
- Unable to concentrate
- Excessive fears or worries
- Feeling guilty or worthless
How to help someone
If you notice signs that someone is struggling with their mental health or if they let you know themselves, here are some tips on what you can do to help them:
- Reassurance – The most important step in helping someone is letting them know that you are there for them and that they are not alone.
- Stay calm & be patient with them – The person you are helping may express or say things that you may find upsetting and stressful to hear, but you should try your best to stay calm and let them express how they feel. You should be patient and let them share at a pace that is best for them. This will make them feel calm too and make them feel like they can talk to you without distressing you.
- Focus on their feelings – If someone is feeling excessive emotions of fear or anxiety, it’s important that you recognise that these feelings feel very extreme and real for them. You should try not to say things like “I understand you feel this way, but I feel like this” as this can diminish their feelings and shift the focus on you rather than them.
- Listen – Find a place that allows the person to talk about how they feel without any interruptions or disruptions, and just simply listen. Having someone to hear how they feel and taking the time to listen can be a big step towards feeling better for some people.
- Help with other aspects of their life – You can help with chores or tasks around the house, or give them lifts to places and even take them to appointments if they are ready.
- Accompany them to appointments – If they are ready to go to appointments, going with them if they want you to can make the process feel a lot more supported and easier for them.
- Keep in contact – Messaging them every day, or every other day, just to check in, can make a person feel less lonely and show that you care about them. Try taking them out for a coffee, walks or activities that aren’t overwhelming and talk about other aspects of their life too, to keep things as normal as possible.
What to do if someone doesn’t want any help
When you offer help and support to someone who is struggling, they may not always accept this help, which can be difficult to hear. However, it is important that you accept this, give them the time they need and let them know that you’re there for them when they are ready to talk to you. You can also inform them on various ways they can seek help if they are not comfortable talking to you.
Where can I find help?
If you or someone you know is dealing with an urgent mental health emergency or need someone to talk to, you can find help here.
You should call 999 or go to A&E if:
- Someone has severely injured themselves or taken an overdose
- You feel as if you can not keep yourself or someone else safe