What do I do if my husband won’t listen to me? My mom? My friend? My daughter? I hear this question all the time. Someone recognizes the possibility of depression, anxiety, ADHD in a friend or relative, but the other person just doesn’t see it. They refuse to go see someone for help. What do you do?
Finally, you’re not alone. If you are worried someone in your family or group of friends is seriously ill, at risk of hurting themselves or hurting someone else, call for help. Most cities in the United States have a 24 hour suicide hotline, and nationally, you can call 1-800-suicide. There are people trained to help you with this, even if your friend or family member won’t call, you can and start the journey towards mental health.
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This is a tough subject to write about. Having suffered from depression for so long, my wife and my family have always wanted to know what they could do to help. I know it is hard for them to watch me suffer.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a post on my blog with a few of my own suggestions, which can be read here: http://thegallowspole.wordpress.com/2010/08/03/caring-for-the-depressed-some-thoughts-from-a-depressed-guy/
It's tough, but just having people that care about you and support you makes a huge difference. Knowing you aren't alone is worth more than I could ever express in words.
This is a really important subject. I have been a self-described "therapy pusher" and have managed to get people help who desperately needed it seek help. Some of what I did was reframe the entire issue from who they are, what is wrong, and what psychotherapy (or drugs) do. I also demystify the act of FINDING a therapist, the amazing resources for sliding scale help, and the reality that they are WORTHY of getting help and feeling better.
ReplyDeleteNagging doesn't work nor does telling them what to do. I find it most useful to figure out, gently, how they view their mental health AND how they view "getting help." Only when I have those points of view am I able to gently, and very positively/optimistically and yes, sometimes goofily, help them reframe. A sense of humor sometimes goes a long way and can make the entire subject less overwhelmingly serious :)
In some cases, it might be helpful to ask or pay a mental health professional to attend your relative at home. It may be expensive in some countries, but others offer this service as a public health care. If Mohammed will not go to the mountain, the mountain must come to Mohammed.
ReplyDeleteI work for a mental health agency and I run family support groups. Many individuals come in with little hope left because their relative refuses to seek help despite the ramifications it has on their lives. Oftentimes, when people become increasingly psychotic or uncontrollable, families will not call the cops because they don't want to cause legal trouble for their ill relative. Luckily, in cities like Chicago, there is a crisis intervention team (CIT) of police officers who are trained to deal with mentally ill individuals. Instead of arresting or demoralizing them, the police officers take the individuals to a hospital to get a psychological evaluation, which opens the doors to many who often refuse the help. It is also a way for them to get on meds if needed.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that is in Chicago, but I live in the Temple, Texas area and I haven't heard of such CIT of police officers here.My son is 31 and he appear to have mental illness issues. He has no friends, doesn't hardly speak to anyone, stays in his room and just watch television pretend to fill out job applications, and when suggest to get evaluated for help, he will say that he is alright! He has not had a job for going on 3 years. What can I do? I feel trapped and can't seem to get help for him!
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