Mental health is a big topic at the moment, and I think it has been for a while now. This pandemic has had such a significant impact on so many people. Both mentally and physically. I have heard people calling mental health the next pandemic, after this pandemic is over. Being locked in and kept away from our loved ones. Being isolated and having our lives ripped away from us. It’s enough to set anybody’s mental health off.
I am so excited to be here on Shelly’s blog today. If you don’t know me, my name’s Olivia from www.olivialucieblake.com. Similar to Shelly, I am a Lifestyle blogger and I cover topics such as mental health, well-being, self-care, and I always share blogging topics on my site. I have had the privilege of being here a few times now, and always love collabing with my favourite person. We decided together to talk about mental health because it’s something we know a lot of people are going through at the moment.
I know how hard it can be for those around us when we are suffering mentally. And this post is in no way to make anyone with mental health problems to feel bad. It’s more for education and to realise that it affects more than one person when we are going through it.
It can make them feel hopeless
There have been countless times when I have been having severe episodes of anxiety, and I watch my loved ones try to help me and it is hard. Because knowing what the right thing to say or do can be difficult. When we hurt ourselves physically, it’s obvious what we have to do to heal. But when it comes to mental health its way more complicated. Our brains are such complex things, that a band aid just won’t fix it. It’s hard being on the outside looking in. There isn’t much you can say or do to help your family member through it. I thought here I would suggest some things you can do for your loved one or family member who are going through a hard time:
- Regular Check in’s – Make sure you are checking up on them and having conversations with them. They’ll let you in eventually when they feel comfortable.
- Unwanted Advice – So often I have told people I feel anxious and have been met by “Just stop worrying.” This can be so damaging. Don’t you think I would if I could? Instead, ask them if there is anything you can do for them.
- Encourage Them – Send them poems or books that have helped you personally. Send them a card or a nice message. This won’t get rid of the mental health problems they are suffering with, but it might make it that tiny bit better.
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It can create tension
In some cases when your family member is going through a hard time, it can sometimes have a ripple effect. This means that your mood might affect them. This especially happens if you’re an empathetic person. It can be frustrating sometimes seeing someone go through a hard time and not being able to help or do anything. Which naturally makes you feel bad and can sometimes cause you to be angry.
Your bad mood won’t help the situation but might actually make it worse. And that’s the last thing you want. Being there and trying to help your family member through a hard time can take a lot of patience. Healing doesn’t happen quickly or on your timing. It’s all down to the other person. And that can be hard, but you have to learn to just go with it.
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Emotions can run high
With any mental health problem, it involves a lot of emotions. Whether that’s from you, or from those around you. It all comes down to what I have said regularly throughout this post. Your wellbeing has an impact on those who love you. If you are sad, and down, it will have a similar effect on others. As the family member or loved one on the outside, keep being a bright shining light in their lives. They really need to be uplifted. Sometimes you have to put your own emotions and feelings aside to help them. Because it can make it worse knowing that your mood is affecting someone else’s.
Do you have any advice you can give to family or friends on how to handle mental health problems? I’d love to hear them in the comments.
I want to reiterate what I said at the beginning of this post. Please don’t feel bad for having poor mental health. It happens. And this post is not meant to make you feel bad either. It’s more of an educational post so that others can see what effects different mental health problems have on those around us. I speak from personal experience but would love to hear your thoughts on this.
Thanks so much for having me on your blog today Shelly! It’s always a pleasure. Please don’t forget to check out the post that Shelly has done on my blog. You can find it here.
My oldest brother has been having trouble with his mental health lately. He moved back in with our parents and my dad has been getting really frustrated with him. I try to make him understand that he needs this time to figure things out again but it’s hard
I completely agree. Mental health is such a hush hush subject and often times when you’re going through a tough time you can’t express how you feel or what you think can help you. And then also, if you’re watching a loved one go through it, you’re full of guilt and worry wondering what the right thing to say is. I like that you provided us tips to navigate a tough situation.
What I found most helpful when I was going through a big adjustment after giving birth to my daughter and feeling extremely fatigue and burn out was when people popped by they always offered to do practical things to help me out or they brought a meal with enough for leftovers so that I wouldn’t have to worry about entertaining guests and then have to cook dinner myself.
So now when a friend or loved one is going through a tough time I often try to think about practical ways I can assist (I.e. Delivering food, picking up groceries, running errands, simple tidying up, etc etc). ❤️🙏 Wonderful and insightful post! 🙂
Aww that’s very kind of you! Food is definitely something people overlook during tough times, so I’m a firm believer that it is one of the most practical things to give.
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your perspective 😊