10/10/20 - World Mental Health Day Blog -
Today I am writing my first blog post because it is a significant day for mental health sufferers, World Mental Health Day, and they deserve to be recognized, supported, respected and accepted for who they are and what they are going through. It is day where the world actually stops to think about sufferers of mental health disorders and what life might be like for them. I ask you to please wear green today, the colour of mental health , to show solidarity to sufferers so they know they are not alone.
As a person who experienced an anxiety disorder in her late twenties, I know that the journey to wellness is challenging and takes determination and support to make progress. I was fortunate to get the treatment that I needed and to have support from friends and family who loves me. The purpose of this blog is to bring awareness to those who are suffering from mental illness, eliminate stigma associated with it and to give you tips on how to support mental health sufferers in your life
So, what is Mental Health? We all have mental health and it is our job to look after it. Our state of mind is governed by our emotions, thoughts and experiences with the world around us. Our mental health waxes and wanes on a continuum depending on the challenges that we face and our ability to cope with them. Mental illness is a serious medical condition where an individual’s mood, behavior and thoughts are negatively affected impacting one’s ability to function at their full potential. Mental illness can express itself in many different ways Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Behavioral Disorders and more. It is not a sin, a curse, weakness, crazy or attention seeking behavior to suffer from a mental health disorder. Saying this to a sufferer, shows them disrespect and ignorance of what mental illness is. We do not discriminate against those with physical illnesses like cancer or diabetes so why judge someone with panic disorder or depression.
In the same way that you wouldn’t say to someone ‘think yourself out of diabetes, please don’t say ‘pull yourself together ' if they are suffering from an anxiety disorder or any other mental health disorder. Sufferers of mental illness do not want to feel the way they do. Actually, most of the time they hate themselves for being in this predicament and they need encouragement and support instead of preaching and negativity.
So, what are the 4 things you can you do to support someone suffering with a mental health condition
1. Listen to them without judgement – The greatest thing you can do is to be there with them and for them. Allow them to express their feelings in their own time without telling them how or what they should feel. Validate their feelings, hold a space for them to say what is worrying them or making them feel sad. Refrain from giving them your opinion on how they should feel or comment on what they believe is sad or scary. Please do not belittle them. If they don’t want to talk, don’t push them too, just sit with them. Your presence is comforting in itself.
2. Give them support and encouragement – Tell them that they can get through this illness and that you believe in them. Check up on them regularly. Sufferers find it hard to reach out so please keep in touch with them. They don’t want to be a burden to others and sometimes they are drowning in their thoughts that they mentally cannot ask for help. Offer to help them with practical things at home or tasks they are falling behind in. Be understanding if they suddenly have to cancel plans, it is not personal, they are struggling. Ask them what they need, instead of giving them what you think will make them feel better.
3. Encourage them to get professional help – Reassure them that it is no shame in asking for help for mental illness. Treatment in the form of psychotherapy and/or medication can really help sufferers manage their symptoms and they can even go into remission. The earlier they can start treatment the better. Do the research for them and tell them where they can go to get help. Go through options with them and help them make the appointments. Offer to go with them to therapy and wait outside so they feel supported on this journey. If they cannot afford it, reach out to NGO’s who can often refer you to counsellors who have a sliding scale and to donation-based support groups. OCDAHK runs a free support group for adults and teens suffering from anxiety, OCD and depression once a month. Contact us for more information at ocdcommunityhk@gmail.com
Please contact us at OCDAHK if your friend, family member or loved one is suffering from a mental health condition and you need information about what they are going through or support. You are not alone, and we thank you for supporting the sufferer.
4. Have realistic expectations about the recovery process. Recovery is a journey and is not linear. There will be days that are worse and better for your loved one. Stay by their side and continue to believe in them, even if they don’t believe it themselves. With continued support from friends and family and professional help, they will get better every day.