If you have family, friends or colleagues who live with mental illnesses, you may be unsure of how to speak to them in a respectful way. You want to show you care, but don’t know how to express your concern and not hurt the person at the same time.

Just ask…

  1. Can you help me understand what it’s like living with your condition?
  2. Is there anything you need from me or something I can do to help you?
  3. Can we do something together – get coffee, go for a walk or see a movie?
    Just because the person has mental illness doesn’t mean he/she won’t want to do regular activities
  4. What is your diagnosis and how do you feel about it?
  5. Do you need to talk?
    Sometimes talking can help make things feel a little better.
  6.  What can I do to be there for you, and help you feel supported?
  7. How can I support you – can I listen to you, leave you alone, give you a hug?
  8.  How has living with this condition shaped who you are today?
  9. How are you? You don’t seem like yourself, and I want to know how you’re really feeling because I care about you.

Find Help and More Information Regarding Mental Illness

Help is available. For additional information, visit MagellanHealth.com/MYMH.

For more information on treatment resources, contact:
National Institute of Mental Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help/index.shtml

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
http://www.nami.org/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/https://www.mentalhealth.gov/

Mental Health.gov
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/
Help is available. For additional information, visit MagellanHealth.com/MYMH

Read more about Mental Illness from Magellan Health Insights