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Use these tips to encourage your loved one to seek therapy.
When someone you care about is struggling with their mental health, it can be difficult for them and you as well. You want the best for them but if you are not a mental health professional, you are limited in how you can help. Because of this, you may want to encourage your loved one to seek therapy. This could be difficult though because it is a sensitive subject and bringing this thought up the wrong way could bring negative consequences. Here are some ways you can tactfully recommend therapy to a loved one.
Be Supportive
Supporting your loved one is important because stigma is one of the most common reasons people don’t seek professional help for mental health issues. By normalizing what this person is going through, you can make them feel more at ease about what they are living with. One way to do this is to avoid using language that stigmatizes people with mental illness. There are many examples in our everyday speech that could, For example, referring to behaviors as “crazy” or “insane” may seem innocent enough, but could alienate people who are living with mental illness.
Consider The Time & Place
This is a sensitive topic so it’s important that you keep that in mind when broaching it. It’s a good idea to wait until you and the person you plan on talking to are free of distractions and not around other people. Having an audience for this talk could leave this person feeling embarrassed or angered. In addition, if a person is already having a bad day, it might not be the best time to talk to them. Use your best judgment to keep this conversation productive, private, and non-confrontational.
Plan For Resistance
Because of stigma and other factors, your loved one may be resistant to the idea of seeking therapy. If this happens, make sure that you keep the conversation positive and explain the reasons for your suggestion. You may want to bring up the positives of therapy, without harping on the person’s specific flaws. Doing so will allow you to speak in a more general sense and could help improve their chances of seeing a therapist.
Help With The Process
You can play a vital role in this process, and doing so can show your loved one how much you care. Whether it’s by helping them find a local therapist or by letting them know that you're supporting their decision, there are many things you can do to help out.
Welcome to Family Service Foundation, Inc.!
Family Service Foundation, Inc. has been serving the greater Maryland area since 1936. This nonprofit organization helps residents in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Frederick County, and Prince George’s County across a span of different areas such as mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse. We also provide interpretation services for deaf and deaf-blind individuals. To learn more, call us at 240-241-7249 or visit here.
