Supporting Those with Mental Illness
Support is key to recovery from mental illness, and these support
networks can be family, health-care professionals, friends, and
neighbours. We know that social isolation is associated with higher
levels of depression and suicide, so a senior’s social network is
important to their health and well-being. Research shows that the
more support a person has, the less likely they are to be hospitalized.
Here are some of the ways you can support those with mental illness:
• Get help early; it’s key to
• Provide social
quick recovery. You may be the
support to help with safety.
first to notice something is wrong,
A mental health crisis may
so don’t be afraid to speak up and
occur whether or not a person is
voice your concerns to people you
receiving treatment. Encourage
care about.
them to seek help voluntarily.
• Advocate for others. Getting
However, you may need to call
help can be hard for people who
emergency services if they are
are struggling, and accessing
at risk of harming themselves or
mental health services can be
others. When the person is safe,
intimidating. Encouraging
it may be helpful to reflect on
people to access services, taking
any new symptoms or triggers
them to appointments, and being
leading up to the crisis and
consistent can help offset
reflect on what did or did not
the negative effects of
work for support.
mental illness.
Take what they
say seriously and
without judgment.
These topics are
difficult to turn our
minds to and may be
very painful for some
of us. Remember that
mental illness can be
treated successfully,
and there is always
hope where there
is care and support.
In the next article,
we’ll share tips for
maintaining mental
health and wellness,
the importance of
prioritizing self care,
and ways to increase
resilience in the face
of challenges.
For more information about
mental health and illness,
see your eldercare portal, or
see heretohelp.bc.ca or
cmha.ca ●
news&views SUMMER 2019 | 51