Mental health misconceptions
Sometimes disabilities aren’t that straight forward, take mental health for example. It is a true thing and you would think that people have taken into account the effects it can have on people and what not to say in a situation, you would be wrong. Let me talk you through some pretty common mistakes and assumptions that people make when it comes to people with mental health, I don’t mean the common one (depression) again another assumption; I mean them all from Bipolar all the way to Social Anxiety.
Number one
If someone has a mental health condition then it can be difficult. I don’t mean a strain on their health, I mean going outside. It can be difficult and every little thing can take its tole meaning after a while a person might not even want to leave their house. Now the part I want people to focus on is the support, most times there isn’t any. People will say “look on the bright side” or “Get over it”. What if a person told you they had cancer? Would you tell them to get over it? Didn’t think so.
It is as real as a physical condition and as such should be treated as one. I myself have worked in a private setting and been told to “man up” because of my mental health condition, which at the end of the day made me worse and can make others the same way.
Number two
It isn’t funny. Take bipolar for example and I mean both types; yes for people that didn’t know there are two types of bipolar. If you know the basics on the condition it can make you the life and soul of the party and do some pretty outrageous things. This isn’t funny though and a lot of people will just shake it off to the person being “a laugh” or “having a good time”. This is not what the person needs.
As a friend or family member it is important to be there and support the person, don’t egg them on and encourage them to be even more outgoing when they are at their worst, but try and distract them with something a little more calm. You wouldn’t believe the amount of times I have almost traveled half way across the world or spent mass amounts of money to be distracted and then sat there colouring an adult colouring book for half hour! Think before you act.
Finally number three
Support. You may have got the feel that I have mentioned support all the way through this article, but you are again and I am sorry to say this; wrong. Support isn’t just distracting someone when they need it or trying to understand how they feel. Sometimes it is about leaving that person alone when they need you to and hugging them when you don’t. All mental health conditions can be difficult for anyone to come to terms with and a support network is key.
If you haven’t seen your friend in a few weeks don’t invite them out but instead turn up on their doorstep with chocolate, if they have a meeting with the doctors then ask if they want you to tag along. At the end of the day mental health can be isolating and make anyone feel alone, be there for them.
