More Than Words: Taking Action to Support Mental Health

At Ritualistic Nurtur, we believe that nurturing our connections is a vital part of holistic well-being, recognizing the profound impact our relationships have on our mind, body, and spirit. This month, as we focus on Mental Health Awareness, let's explore practical ways we can extend support and understanding to the mental health of our loved ones.

An individual’s willingness to learn and help can make a significant difference in a loved one's or friend’s well-being. Here's some information to guide you:

Understanding the Basics:

Before diving into specific actions, it's helpful to have a foundational understanding:

• Mental Health is a Spectrum: Just like physical health, mental health exists on a spectrum. Everyone experiences fluctuations in their mental well-being. Support is valuable at any point on this spectrum, not just when someone is in crisis.

• Mental Illness is Not a Choice or a Weakness: It's crucial to approach the situation with empathy and without judgment. Mental health conditions are often the result of complex biological, psychological, and social factors.

• Your Role is Support, Not Treatment: You are a vital part of their support system, but you are not their therapist or doctor. Your role is to offer care, understanding, and encouragement to seek professional help if and when needed.

Practical Ways to Offer Support:

• Listen Actively and Empathically:

  • Be Present: When they choose to talk, give them your undivided attention. Put away distractions like your phone.

  • Listen to Understand, Not to Fix: Resist the urge to immediately offer solutions or advice unless they specifically ask for it. Sometimes, just being heard and understood is the most powerful support.

  • Validate Their Feelings: Even if you don't fully understand what they're going through, acknowledge that their feelings are real and valid for them. Phrases like, "That sounds really tough," or "I can see that's making you feel [emotion]," can be incredibly validating.

  • Avoid Judgmental Language: Steer clear of phrases that might minimize their experience, such as "Just try to be positive," or "Everyone feels like that sometimes."

• Educate Yourself:

  • Learn About Mental Health Conditions: If your loved one is facing a specific challenge (e.g., anxiety, depression), take the time to learn more about it from reputable sources like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or the Mental Health America (MHA). Understanding their experience better will equip you to offer more informed support.

  • Recognize Warning Signs: Familiarize yourself with potential warning signs of worsening mental health, such as changes in sleep or appetite, withdrawal from social activities, increased irritability, or expressions of hopelessness.

• Encourage Professional Help:

  • Normalize Seeking Therapy: Frame therapy as a sign of strength and self-care, just like going to a doctor for a physical ailment.

  • Offer Practical Assistance: If they are open to seeking help but feel overwhelmed, offer to help them research therapists, understand their insurance coverage, or even accompany them to their first appointment if they wish.

  • Respect Their Decisions: Ultimately, the decision to seek professional help is theirs. While you can encourage it, avoid pressuring or shaming them.

• Offer Practical Support:

  • Help with Daily Tasks: If they are struggling with their mental health, everyday tasks can feel overwhelming. Offer to help with things like grocery shopping, laundry, or meal preparation.

  • Provide a Safe and Comfortable Environment: Ensure they have a safe and supportive space where they feel comfortable being themselves.

  • Help Structure Their Day (if helpful): For some individuals, having a routine can be beneficial. You can gently offer to help them establish a simple daily structure.

• Stay Connected and Be Patient:

  • Regular Check-Ins: Make an effort to check in with them regularly, even if it's just a quick text or call. Knowing you're thinking of them can be comforting.

  • Continue to Invite Them to Activities: Even if they often decline, keep extending invitations to social activities. Knowing they are still included can be important.

  • Be Patient: Recovery and managing mental health can be a journey with ups and downs. Be patient and understanding, even if progress seems slow.

• Encourage Healthy Habits:

  • Support Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Gently encourage habits that support mental well-being, such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, sufficient sleep, and spending time in nature. You can even offer to engage in these activities with them.

  • Limit Substance Use: If substance use is a concern, encourage them to seek help, as it can often exacerbate mental health issues.

• Know Your Limits and Take Care of Yourself:

  • Set Boundaries: Supporting someone with their mental health can be emotionally demanding. It's essential to set healthy boundaries to protect your own well-being. You can't pour from an empty cup.

  • Seek Your Own Support: If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't hesitate to reach out to your own support system, whether it's friends, family, or a therapist.

Things to Avoid:

• Minimizing Their Feelings: Don't say things like, "It's all in your head," or "You'll get over it."

• Comparing Their Experience: Avoid comparing their struggles to others. Everyone's experience is unique.

• Pressuring Them to "Snap Out of It": Mental health recovery isn't a matter of willpower.

• Breaking Their Trust: Respect their privacy and don't share their personal information without their consent.

• Taking Their Struggles Personally: Their mental health challenges are not a reflection of your worth or your relationship with them.

Remember, offering consistent support and understanding is a powerful act of self-care for both you and your loved one. At Ritualistic Nurtur, we aim to provide tools and resources that complement this support, encouraging daily rituals that nurture the mind, body, and spirit. Explore our collection of journals and handcrafted self-care products designed to support emotional well-being and cultivate moments of peace and intention in your daily life.