How to Help a Person Experiencing a Mental Illness

Some helpful tips as well as guidance on levels of behavior that indicate an evaluation by a physician is warranted.

How to Help a Person Experiencing a Mental Illness

Learn to recognize symptoms of mental illness*.
If the person is threatening to harm themselves or others, call 911.
Listen without feeling obliged to give advice or find solutions. Be accepting and understanding.
Tell the person they are loved, deserve to feel better, and will feel better with appropriate treatment.
Encourage the person to get treatment, or in the case of a minor, contact the parent/guardian to take the child for treatment.
If the person is functional, but refuses to seek treatment, seek assistance from family members, friends, and/or co-workers who may be influential.
Invite the person to Mass and to participate in the life of your parish without imposing demands and expectations beyond their current ability.
Allow family members the opportunity to share their sorrows, joys, coping skills, and information about mental illness. Continue to ask about their family member with mental illness.
Do not assume responsibility for the person's life or treatment
Combat the stigma of mental illness by objecting to negative stereotyping.

* Warning Signs for Mental Illness

Not all symptoms occur in every person with a mental illness. A person displaying one or more of these warning signs should be evaluated by a physician or psychiatrist as soon as possible.

Marked personality change
Inability to cope with problems and daily activities
Strange or grandiose ideas
Excessive anxieties
Prolonged depressions and apathy
Marked changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Thinking or talking about suicide
Extreme highs and lows
Abuse of alcohol or drugs
Excessive anger, hostility or violent behavior

Communication Tips

When the person is withdrawn, you should initiate relevant conversation.
When the person appears over-stimulated, you should limit input; don't force discussion.
When the person appears fearful, you should stay calm.
When the person becomes agitated, you should allow personal and physical space.
When the person has trouble remembering, you should help the person record information.
When the person displays poor judgement, you should remain rational and reinforce common sense.
When the person believes delusions, you should avoid arguing.
When the person lacks self esteem, you should affirm the person's value.

Thank you to Marsha Rivas and Diocese of Toledo for this resource.