What is Mental Health Awareness Month?

Mental health awareness refers to recognizing the significance of maintaining good mental health and well-being. It involves promoting knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental health problems and disorders, as well as the benefits of seeking help and treatment when needed.
Read more here: https://mind.help/topic/mental-health-awareness/

Signs and symptoms of declining mental health include

If several of the following are occurring, it may useful to follow up with a mental health professional.

Sleep or appetite changes — Dramatic sleep and appetite changes or decline in personal care.
Mood changes — Rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions or depressed feelings, greater irritability.
Withdrawal — Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
Drop in functioning — An unusual drop in functioning, at school, work or social activities, such as quitting sports, failing in school or difficulty performing familiar tasks.
Problems thinking — Problems with concentration, memory or logical thought and speech that are hard to explain.
Increased sensitivity — Heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch; avoidance of over-stimulating situations.
Apathy — Loss of initiative or desire to participate in any activity.
Feeling disconnected — A vague feeling of being disconnected from oneself or one’s surroundings; a sense of unreality.
Illogical thinking — Unusual or exaggerated beliefs about personal powers to understand meanings or influence events; illogical or “magical” thinking typical of childhood in an adult.
Nervousness — Fear or suspiciousness of others or a strong nervous feeling.
Unusual behavior — Odd, uncharacteristic, peculiar behavior.
Changes in school or work — Increased absenteeism, worsening performance, difficulties in relationships with peers and co-workers.

How to help someone with mental illness

Talk to them in a space that is comfortable, where you won’t likely be interrupted and where there are likely minimal distractions.
Ease into the conversation, gradually. It may be that the person is not in a place to talk, and that is OK. Greeting them and extending a gentle kindness can go a long way. Sometimes less is more.
Be sure to speak in a relaxed and calm manner.
Communicate in a straightforward manner and stick to one topic at a time.
Be respectful, compassionate and empathetic to their feelings by engaging in reflective listening, such as “I hear that you are having a bad day today. Yes, some days are certainly more challenging than others. I understand.”
Instead of directing the conversation at them with ‘you’ statements, use ‘I’ statements instead.
Be a good listener, be responsive and make eye contact with a caring approach.
Ask them appropriate questions and avoid prying.
Give them the opportunity to talk and open up but don’t press.
Share some easy insights as a way of encouraging easy conversation, such as comments about the weather, the community or other.
Reduce any defensiveness by sharing your feelings and looking for common ground.
Speak at a level appropriate to their age and development level. Keep in mind that mental illness has nothing to do with a person’s intelligence.
Be aware of a person becoming upset or confused by your conversation with them.
Show respect and understanding for how they describe and interpret their symptoms.
Genuinely express your concern.
Offer your support and connect them to help if you feel that they need it. Ask, “How can I help?” if appropriate, or even, “Can I pray with you now?” if appropriate.
Give the person hope for recovery, offer encouragement and prayers.

THINGS TO AVOID SAYING

“Just pray about it.”
“You just need to change you’re attitude.”
“Stop harping on the negative, you should just start living.”
“Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
“You have the same illness as my (whoever).”
“Yes, we all feel a little crazy now and then.”

THINGS TO AVOID DOING:

Criticizing blaming or raising your voice at them.
Talking too much, too rapidly, too loudly. Silence and pauses are ok.
Showing any form of hostility towards them.
Assuming things about them or their situation.
Being sarcastic or making jokes about their condition.
Patronizing them or saying anything condescending.

may Recommendations

Understanding Mental Disorders – Your Guide to DSM-TR® from American Psychiatric Association Publishing

Explains mental disorders, their diagnosis, and their treatment in basic terms for those seeking mental health care and for their loved ones. The book is a practical guide to the disorders described in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The most recent edition of DSM is the fifth edition text revision, referred to as DSM-5-TR. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) developed Understanding Mental Disorders: Your Guide to DSM-5-TR to help people whose lives have been touched by mental illness. The book was written to help people better understand mental disorders and how to manage them. The APA also publishes DSM. The purpose of DSM is to create a common language for health care providers who diagnose mental illnesses. Understanding Mental Disorders can be a helpful resource when talking with a health care provider before or after a diagnosis is received.