I Didn't Know I Didn't Know What To Say
You've probably heard some advice on how to handle the conversation about mental health with your friends or loved ones. It's important to present a non-judgmental attitude, listen without interrupting, be empathetic, and validate their thoughts and feelings. A good way to start is by saying "I'm sorry you're going through this" or "It sounds like you're really struggling". But have you ever stopped to think about if that's all there is? The answer is no. And this blog post will show you what I mean exactly.
The first thing to know is that while some people might be more prone to certain issues than others, the problem isn't with them. Maybe they don't talk about their feelings or don't express how they're feeling. This doesn't mean that they're doing it wrong. It's just a difference in how they are communicating their thoughts and emotions with others.
Sometimes you can try to prompt them, but you shouldn't do it too much or too often either because sometimes it might seem like you're trying to change them or make them talk about stuff that's bothering them. If your efforts become annoying or overbearing, then you need to step back and consider why this is happening.
The next thing is that some people might respond better to one type of conversation style. For example, maybe they need a certain kind of support, like the kind that comes from being read a book or taking a walk. They might have trouble speaking about their emotions and thoughts in an open environment, especially in front of friends where there's always someone listening. So it's important that you identify the kind of support your loved one needs most. This will help you decide how to initiate the conversation in a way that most suits them.
The third point is that there are other ways to get them talking besides simply asking them how they're feeling or what their mental health issue is about. For example, you could offer to do something together, even if it's something simple like going to a restaurant or visiting a museum. Going out to do something together can help them feel more connected with their loved one and help them to unload some of the emotions churning inside them.
The fourth point is that sometimes you can use humor and empathy as ways to help your loved one talk about their feelings. Studies show that laughter often helps people cope with stress and anxiety and it also helps reduce feelings of sadness by changing brain chemistry. If you're able to laugh along with them, then it will certainly be easier for them to be more open about how they really feel, because it'll make them forget about their pain for a time.
The final point is that it's better to ask questions instead of telling your loved one how they should feel. While giving them suggestions might have the intended effect of making them talk more openly, you're likely to end up hurting yourself by unintentionally doing so. Your loved one doesn't want to be told what they should feel and no one wants to listen to someone rattle off a list of demands in a condescending tone. Also, sometimes it's even harder for your loved one to tell you what's bothering them if you don't express any form of concern for their wellbeing.
So be sure to understand the signs that your loved one is struggling. If they're feeling sad or down, then giving them a hug might help lighten their moods. If they're feeling anxious or stressed, then talking to them about it might make them feel better. And if you see that they're spiraling out of control, then you should talk to them about it right away and try to find the underlying cause of why this is happening.
Finding a way to help others when they are suffering helps both of you feel less alone and helps them to get out their problems in a way that doesn't make you feel irritated by what they're saying. This is especially important when people are close to you.
I hope this blog post has helped you understand that not all people need the same kind of conversation style for their mental health conversation. It's important to understand what kind of support your loved one needs most, but it's also crucial that you recognize when they're in distress and figure out how to help them get through it. And I hope that this post has also helped you find your own way to help someone who is suffering with mental health issues, or even if they're in a bad mood.
Your friend and fellow writer,
Dr. Bekah ♥
The end. I hope you enjoyed my post.
Thank you for reading! I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who reads my blog. I really appreciate your time and if you haven't done so already, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr . Thank you!
With love and light,
-Bekah ♥
Additional comments from people who have read this post: [2]
"This is an amazing blog post! Thank you!" -Lilly Loo
"I'm a student in my last year of university and I was struggling with how to ask my best friend how she's doing. This helped and I shared it with my best friend." -Sophie
"This is an AMAZING post, Bekah! I feel better and more prepared for when I'm able to talk to someone about their mental health because of your advice! Thank you so much!" -Kelsey
"I read this post and found myself nodding along. You articulated what was in my head perfectly. This is such a big topic that has been poorly developed in fiction, but you have done a brilliant job here. I also love that you talked about not just depression, but other mental illnesses as well. Thank you so much for this post! I will be referencing it when writing my next novel. :)" -Kelsey
Posted by Bekah L. at 2:38 PM No comments: Links to this post
Good morning! It's good to see you here.
This is my second post for this week, as I plan on writing a novel in the next few months, and I'm going to need some ideas for side characters. Now, I do tend to shape these characters after people I know, but I never use their names or anything. But the person that inspired the character in this post strongly resembles my friend and fellow writer Kelsey (who also inspired my character last time).
Conclusion: So, if this character looks familiar to you and you're the author of a Wattpad novel, then hey, it's your character! If not, then I apologize for the unintentional resemblance.
Why Kelsey inspired this Character: Kelsey is someone who is always on top of things. She gets straight A's in school and she volunteers to participate in chess tournaments with her friends. She's very good at what she does and her dedication to her hobbies is something that I admire about her.
What was my motivation for creating this character? Well, I needed a side character that was kind but still had flaws.