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Health Corner Nov 2005

Mental Illness Awareness

One in five of the families sitting around you today has someone in their immediate family who has a serious mental illness.

The vast majority of those affected by mental illness sit in lonely silence. They fear that rather than receiving support, they will be shunned.

What can we do as individuals and as a congregation to make those with mental illness feel welcome and safe in our midst? What can we do to help them understand that God loves them and is with them even in their most difficult times?

How can one help carry the burden of someone who has a mental illness

1. Be There!! Show up!!
2. Listen without a judgmental attitude.
3. Communicate. Listen as a person, not as a a learned figure. Share your thoughts and feelings.
4. Empower by demonstrating that you believe in him or her.
5. Ask what you can do to make a difference. Ask, “What can I do to help?”
6. Learn about serious mental illness in order that you can have some understanding of what it is like to “walk in his or her shoes”.
7. If it seems indicated, refer him or her to persons specially trained to help with mental illness issues. If necessary, make the appointment and/or provide transportation, and offer to go with them.
8. If medication has been prescribed, reassure him or her that it is almost always necessary for those with serious mental illness, and that it can enable one to function very well.
9. Reassure your friend or family member that God is constantly with him or her, even if he or she can’t sense it at the moment.
10. Follow through and come back and see your friend or family member when he or she is feeling well.

For support and information: NAMI West Valley 623-546-4011