May is Mental Health Awareness Month: How to support a loved one, without having the perfect words
Mental Health Awareness Month observed ... May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Many people want to support a friend, spouse, parent, or neighbor who is struggling, but they are not sure what to say. Senior Life Solutions (SLS) staff, pictured here, offer a few simple ways to show up for someone without needing to be an expert. Pictured above, left to right is: Kayla Baxter, Therapist; Katie Osmonson, Office and Patient Coordinator; and Mandy Pettitt, RN, Program Director, all wearing green for National Wear Green Day for Mental Health. Call these providers at 563-568-5560 for more information or to make a referral. Submitted photo.
by Senior Life Solutions, Veterans Memorial Hospital
Many people want to support a friend, spouse, parent, or neighbor who is struggling, but they are not sure what to say. During Mental Health Awareness Month, here are a few simple ways to show up for someone without needing to be an expert.
What helps most:
• Start small. “I’ve been thinking about you. How are you really doing?”
• Listen more than you fix. You do not have to solve it to be supportive.
• Offer a specific next step. “Want me to drive you to an appointment?” or “Can I sit with you for a bit?”
• Check in again. One conversation is great, but consistency is even better.
• Encourage support early. Getting help sooner usually means better outcomes.
If you are worried about someone, it is okay to say:
• “You matter to me.”
• “You are not a burden.”
• “We can take this one step at a time.”
If you think a loved one could benefit from extra support, the Veterans Memorial Hospital-Senior Life Solutions Program is here to help older adults manage depression, anxiety, grief, and other life challenges.
If you would like to talk through options, call us at 563-568-5560.
