How can I support a friend’s mental health?

This recently happened with one of my friends and I went off quickly in to “fix-it-mode.” She should do this, she should do that, she should do something else… I was ‘shoulding’ all over her and I was wrong. This is a friend who has lived experience, talent, skills, and ability who has successfully navigated the world for 40 years without me telling her what to do. Stop and take a breath and consider how much effort, courage, spunk, and nerves has it taken for this person to be vulnerable around you, how go is your friendship that they feel safe letting their guard down. Respect that, respect their limits and do not put pressure on them to do anything.

What can I do?

Consider some, or all of the following:

• Listen: listen to your friend/relative/work mate. Be patient. Be kind
• Encourage: encourage them to talk about what is going on or how they are feeling.
• Know your friend: can you gently challenge them “I call BS on that mate”
• Ask them: if they need a lift to an appointment, offer to go with them to find extra support from professionals.
• Keep it about them: no judgement or comparison this is all about them, not you
• Contact: make a phone calls, facetime, text messages

In all of this, please do not forget to look after yourself. Reach out to Redcliffe Counselling and find out about collaborating with me. Contact me on 0487 844 603, via email at info@redcliffecounselling.au or you can check me out online at redcliffecounselling.au