How can I support my loved one during this hardship?
Assisting a loved one refers to the support you can offer them, without taking over their life. To be part of the solution, you will need to learn to prioritize and set a game plan with your loved one. Here are some ideas to help you decide what actions to take.
- Talk openly with your loved one about your involvement in their recovery.
- Determine how much time you can devote to assisting them.
- Assess what you can realistically do.
- Look for credible sources of information that can help you in your daily life.
- Confide in someone you trust.
- Be patient and gentle with yourself.
What should I do if they refuse my help?
Sometimes a person refuses to provide information about what they are experiencing and pushes away the help of family and friends. In this case, it is best to respect your loved one’s silence and try to talk about it at a time when you feel they are calmer and more receptive.
If, after some time, your loved one still refuses to let you be involved, do not feel excluded. They have the right to do so, and you should respect their decision, even if you do not believe it is the right choice.
In this case, you will need to establish a mutual comfort zone and set rules with your loved that will allow you to have healthy communication with one another.
Is it normal to feel lost in the chaos?
Mental illness has an impact not only on the individual, but also on those around them. It’s normal to feel lost or alone.
The recovery process for a person with a mental illness is not always linear and everybody goes at their own pace. In order to preserve your relationship with your loved one, avoid taking on too much. Remember, you are not responsible for their recovery. You can support them, but you can’t do it for them.
Your loved one is not the only one who should seek support. Look at Camille and Samuel’s informational guide to see how doing so could help you. You can also explore the different services that may be available to you and your loved one.
