b"What else can I help you with? Supporting a Friend or Family Member with Mental Health ProblemsI am someone who cares and wants to listen. What do you want me to know about how you are feeling? You can help your friend or family member by recognizing the signs of mental health problems and connecting themWho or what has helped you deal with similar issues in the to professional help.past? Talking to friends and family about mental health problemsSometimes talking to someone who has dealt with a similar can be an opportunity to provide information, support, andexperience helps. Do you know of others who have experi-guidance. Learning about mental health issues can lead to:enced these types of problems who you can talk with? It seems like you are going through a difficult time. How can Improved recognition of early signs of mental healthI help you to find help? problems How can I help you find more information about mental Earlier treatmenthealth problems? Greater understanding and compassionI'm concerned about your safety. Have you thought about If a friend or family member is showing signs of a mentalharming yourself or others? health problem or reaching out to you for help, offer supportWhen talking about mental health problems: by: Know how to connect people to help Finding out if the person is getting the care that they needCommunicate in a straightforward manner and wantif not, connect them to help Expressing your concern and supportSpeak at a level appropriate to a person's age and develop-ment level (preschool children need fewer details as compared to Reminding your friend or family member that help isteenagers) available and that mental health problems can be treatedDiscuss the topic when and where the person feels safe and Asking questions, listening to ideas, and being responsivecomfortable when the topic of mental health problems come upWatch for reactions during the discussion and slow down or Reassuring your friend or family member that you careback up if the person becomes confused or looks upset about themSometimes it is helpful to make a comparison to a physical illness. For example, many people get sick with a cold or the flu, but only Offering to help your friend or family member with eve- a few get really sick with something serious like pneumonia. Peo-ryday tasksple who have a cold are usually able to do their normal activities. However, if they get pneumonia, they will have to take medicine Including your friend or family member in your plans and may have to go to the hospital. continue to invite them without being overbearing, even if your friend or family member resists your invitationsSimilarly, feelings of sadness, anxiety, worry, irritability, or sleep problems are common for most people. However, when these feel-Educating other people so they understand the facts aboutings get very intense, last for a long period of time, and begin to mental health problems and do not discriminateinterfere with school, work, and relationships, it may be a sign of a Treating people with mental health problems with respect,mental health problem. And just like people need to take medicine compassion, and empathyand get professional help for physical conditions, someone with a mental health problem may need to take medicine and/or partici-pate in therapy to get better. How to Talk About Mental Health Do you need help starting a conversation about mental health? Try leading with these questions and make sure to actively listen to your friend or family member's response: I've been worried about you. Can we talk about what you are experiencing? If not, who are you comfortable talking to? What can I do to help you to talk about issues with your parents or someone else who is responsible and cares about you? 8"