Boosting Your Loved One’s Mental Health

We all go through difficult situations, and others assist us in getting through them. So it’s normal to be concerned about the mental health of the people we love and cherish. This is why there are numerous methods to support someone you care about, whether they are a friend, a family member, or even a colleague.

When one of your loved ones is going through a difficult time, it may be clear or noticeable. However, there is no quick method to tell if they need more help and support—and you don't always need to know. That is why it's essential to respond with compassion to someone who appears to be in distress instead of a textbook response.

What is Mental Health?

Your general psychological well-being is referred to as "mental health." It involves your self-esteem, quality of life, and your capacity to regulate your emotions and deal with problems. Anyone can suffer from mental or emotional health issues, and many of us will do so throughout our lives.

So why is mental health important? First, it can be difficult to appreciate life when your mental health declines. You may begin to feel mentally and physically exhausted, and can significantly affect your daily routines. In fact, it can even make living a balanced and satisfying life more challenging to achieve.

How to boost your loved one’s mental health for the better?

Seeing a loved one in pain can be distressing, and it can leave you feeling anxious, weak, or even hopeless. It can also be challenging to show your sympathy, know how to communicate your concern, or bring up the issue without invading their privacy.  But providing your loved ones with support and compassion, despite how tough it may be, can be crucial to their healing. Here are some things you can do to help:

Understand what they’re going through

The more you know about your loved one's circumstance, the more you'll be able to assist them effectively. This is why understanding what they are going through is extremely important when it comes to helping them cope with mental stress. Furthermore, someone who is struggling with their mental health may not feel comfortable bringing up the subject. Therefore it's critical to recognise the signals on your own so that you can assist them.

Show your concern

You should express your worries if you see a noticeable shift in your loved one's attitude or behaviour. While starting the discussion may be difficult, it is the first step towards getting your loved one the assistance they need. But instead of responding as though something is wrong with them, start by expressing your own worry. In addition, avoid forcing them to open up. Reminding them that you are willing to listen when they’re ready to speak up is the most genuine and sincere support you can offer. Remember that just being there for your loved one is one of the best things you can do to support them.

Offer professional help

No matter how much you want to help a loved one struggling with their mental health, there are instances wherein talking it out with them will no longer be enough as a solution. If you want to boost your loved one’s mental health, offering to seek professional help is the best way to achieve improvement. But if your loved one lacks the motivation to do so, try to eliminate as many obstacles as possible for them. For example, you can offer to assist them in scheduling their appointment, contacting potential therapists or accompanying them to their first visit.

Final Thoughts

When we are mentally healthy, we have the ability to thrive, learn new skills and take chances in life. We are also more capable of dealing with adversity in both our personal and professional life. At Tunstall, this is what we strive to accomplish. We want to provide our clients with peace of mind regardless of how challenging the situation is. Learn more about us today by getting in touch with our team.

About the Author
Kathryn O’Neill
Kathryn O’Neill

Kathryn is Tunstall Australiasia’s Head of Operations and works closely with the Executive Team to support Tunstall’s teams and clients. With her background as a Registered Nurse, Kathryn is deeply passionate about the future of Connected Healthcare, digital transformation and client-centric care. She is a key driver behind Tunstall's unparalleled customer service, and constant improvement of quality care strategies across the business.

See all of Kathryn's articles.