More than one in every five Americans has some type of mental illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s a large portion of the population, making mental illness one of the top health concerns in the nation. Making this topic a normal part of family life can be helpful for breaking the stigma surrounding it. Here are a few ways to help your loved ones feel comfortable bringing up mental health in family conversations.
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health is an optimal state of social, emotional, and psychological well-being. People with good mental health tend to function well in society and feel better about themselves. Those who struggle with mental illness may have trouble coping with normal life situations. They may find it challenging to think, feel, or behave in normal and healthy ways.
It’s important to note that there’s nothing inherently shameful about living with mental illness. Millions of people do, and it’s no more embarrassing than living with a chronic physical health issue or breaking a bone. Just as physical illnesses and injuries often require and deserve judgment-free treatment, so do mental health disorders.
Tips for Making Mental Health a Normal Part of Family Conversations
Discussing mental health concerns in a safe family environment can be healing and reassuring. Your family members should be some of your biggest supporters throughout your life. However, they can’t perform this role very well if they’re completely unaware of your mental struggles.
Opening up to loved ones about mental health challenges can trigger fear or embarrassment in many people. However, seeking support is a powerful indicator of strength, not weakness. Here are a few tips for making mental health a normal and comfortable part of family conversations.
Talk About Therapy in a Down-to-Earth Way
When discussing potentially sensitive mental health topics with others, it’s crucial to bring them up in a relaxed, down-to-earth way. Make sure there are no undertones of judgment or pity. Remember, the topic shouldn’t be taboo. Aim to talk about it as naturally as you would talk about dealing with a cold.
If you’re talking with your kids or another loved one about the possibility of seeking therapy, make the suggestion calmly and kindly. Never be forceful or make the other person feel like you’re pushing them into an uncomfortable situation. Instead, discuss the benefits of therapy and how it can make navigating mental illness a lot easier. Mention the possibility of virtual therapy if your family member is uncomfortable or anxious about meeting with a therapist in person.
Listen to Understand, Not Respond
If you want your family members to feel comfortable talking about their mental health, practice active listening. Hear them out and listen with the intent to understand what they’re going through rather than waiting for your first opportunity to respond. Instead of focusing on what you want to say back to them, really think about what they’re saying. This will help you have heightened empathy.
People with mental illness want to feel like they can express their emotions without immediately receiving a lecture afterward. Practicing active listening can give them a safe environment to express their thoughts and feelings.
Don’t Entertain Jokes About Mental Health
Are you the type of person who likes to lighten up a tense situation by joking about it? This approach might be OK in some life situations, but it’s generally not the best way to approach mental health. Your well-meaning jokes about mental health could deeply offend someone you love. It could also cause them to feel unsafe talking with you about legitimate mental health concerns.
If you want to make it easier for family members to open up about their mental health worries, always be respectful. Don’t turn their deepest emotional and psychological fears into your punchline. If another family member makes a mental health joke, don’t reward them for doing it. Instead, pull them discreetly aside and kindly encourage them to speak more respectfully about such topics.
Choose Appropriate Times to Discuss Mental Health Topics
It’s great to be able to discuss mental health topics with the people closest to you. However, it’s important to choose appropriate times and ways to do so. For example, it’s probably not a good idea to bring up your daughter’s anxiety while she has friends over. Similarly, you may not want to have a deep conversation about depression while celebrating a birthday, graduation, or other happy family occasion.
Choosing the right time and place for meaningful mental health discussions is crucial for having a good outcome. Ideally, your family members should be relaxed and have the ability to engage in deep conversation without frequent distractions.
Conclusion
Throughout the years, mental health topics have often been considered taboo or shameful by society at large. Fortunately, those old-fashioned ideas are slowly dissipating as more people realize how prevalent mental illness is. Talking about your mental health concerns with the people you love most can be healing and invigorating. Use these tips to make mental health a normal part of family conversations.
Photo by Transly Translation Agency; Unsplash
