Mental Health Awareness

​Mental health can be hard to talk about, especially between friends and family. What do you do when you believe a family member or friend might benefit from seeing someone? Reaching out to someone can be hard to do and rightfully so, often times you leave your comfort zone when helping someone. However, there are some tips you may find helpful when talking to a friend or family member about their mental health. 
 
Signs to look for
 
When someone is struggling with mental health they might not feel like hanging out, their mind might be preoccupied or anxious. When they do hang out, a negative mindset might be prevalent. A lack of insight into their own struggles can lead to a short temper. Seen more in high school/college age groups, those struggling may begin using drugs or drinking more. In other cases, self-harm marks might be visible.  
 
Show them you’re on their team
 
Many times, those who need professional counseling may feel alone, isolated, ignored and even guilty. These feelings don’t necessarily need to be addressed by you, you may already know someone is feeling this way through their non-verbal communication. Take advantage of that. Address that you have noticed they might be struggling or different lately, and that it is ok to be feeling that way, let them know they’re not alone. When supported they may open up a bit, they may feel encouraged to find help. Everyone needs someone, be confident in who you are, lend a helping hand you never know how it might benefit someone. 
 
Take away
 
Mental health needs to be talked about, it doesn’t go away and certainly does not discriminate on who it afflicts. When someone seems to be down, we cannot just sit by and ignore it, we can lend a helping hand. We’re all human, we all at one point have felt down, hopeless, worried, even scared. A little bit of compassion and understanding can go a long way for someone.