Mental Health Care: When You’re Learning to Be Okay With Yourself - How to Support a Friend With Mental Illness

Supporting a friend with depression or any other mental illness can be challenging, but it’s incredibly important. In this video, we explore compassionate and practical ways to be there for someone who’s struggling with their mental health. We’ll discuss how to offer emotional support, communicate effectively, and create a safe space for them to express their feelings. In this video, we’ll explore some ways you can support a friend who’s dealing with mental health challenges. We’ll talk about understanding what they might be going through and share some friendly tips on how to offer help in a caring and respectful way. Hopefully, you’ll find some ideas on how to make a positive impact on their life and strengthen your friendship through empathy and support. #mentalhealth #depression #mentalillness #mentalhealthawareness Disclaimer: This video is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content provided should not be used to diagnose or treat any mental health conditions. For professional guidance, please consult a qualified mental health professional. Researcher/ Writer: Halak Pandya Editor: Caitlin McColl Script Manager: Kelly Soong Voice Over: Amanda Silvera (www.youtube.com/amandasilvera) Animator: Ria Javellana YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong Disclaimer: This video is for informative purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Please do seek qualified mental health professional to support your own journey. References Zendjidjian X;Richieri R;Adida M;Limousin S;Gaubert N;Parola N;Lançon C;Boyer L; (n.d.). Quality of life among caregivers of individuals with affective disorders. Journal of affective disorders. Retrieved from pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22100129/ How to support someone with a mental health problem. Mental Health Foundation. (2022, January 31). Retrieved from www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/supporting-someone-mental-health-problem Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2018, November 28). Depression: Supporting a family member or friend. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression/art-20045943 Raypole, C. (2021, November 3). Helping someone with depression. Healthline. Retrieved from www.healthline.com/health/how-to-help-a-depressed-friend#how-to-help Helping someone with depression. Mind. (n.d.). Retrieved June 2, 2022, from www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/depression/for-friends-and-family/ Goleman, D. (2020). Emotional intelligence. Bantam Books. Expressive writing in psychological science – sage journals. (n.d.). Retrieved from journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1745691617707315 Cascio, C. N., O'Donnell, M. B., Tinney, F. J., Lieberman, M. D., Taylor, S. E., Strecher, V. J., & Falk, E. B. (2016, April). Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is reinforced by future orientation. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience. Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4814782/