In the United States, about one in five Americans have a mental health condition.
With such excessive prevalence, you probably know at least one person who’s suffering from a mental health disorder. Anxiety and depression are the most common disorders.
While a mental health condition can have adverse effects on the health and well-being of a victim, the good news is they’re treatable. However, the victim must be willing to take the right steps.
What if you have a loved one who you suspect has a mental disorder but isn’t willing to take a mental health evaluation? We’ve got some advice for you.
Continue reading to learn how to convince them to get mental health help.
Talk to Them About Mental Health
It’s quite possible that your loved one, be it a parent, sibling, or even spouse, don’t know much about mental health. As such, they’re more likely to neglect their own mental wellbeing, thinking they’re just fine.
Talking to them is the first step to getting them to find professional help.
But depending on the nature of the relationship you have with your loved one, it can be challenging to start this conversation. Especially if it’s someone who’s older than you, there’s a chance they can shoot down your efforts and there’s nothing much you can do after that.
You can start by sending them a brief text message, saying there’s something important you’d like to discuss. A positive responsive from them is a good sign to move forward with your plan.
Then, try to get the timing right. You want to approach your loved one when they’re the most receptive.
Get Your Facts Ready
Remember, you’re dealing with a stubborn loved one.
Even if you’re a mental health professional and you’re sure that they’re suffering from a certain mental health condition, they might not accept your “accusation.” This is why it’s necessary to arm yourself with the evidence.
Prior to the conversation, you ought to have taken note of telltale signs of a mental health condition. Perhaps you have noticed changes in their sleep patterns. Or they’ve been exhibiting reckless behavior, such as drunk driving or compulsive gambling.
You want to lay down as much evidence as possible, in case they put up a fight or fail to acknowledge that they’re suffering.
Take the Initiative to Get a Mental Health Specialist for Your Loved One
If your conversation is productive, you shouldn’t leave it there. Even if they promise you that they’re going to seek professional help, don’t take their word for it.
Take the initiative to get them a mental health specialist. You can even pay for the first couple of sessions.
You can also join them in the sessions, especially if the loved one is your spouse. According to Robin Bryant, Ph.D., couple’s therapy can help address some mental health conditions, such as trauma.
A Mental Health Evaluation Is Key to Mental Wellness
A professional mental health evaluation is the only way to establish whether your loved one indeed has a mental health condition. If it turns out they are fine, well and good. But if they aren’t, you would have played a big role in helping them overcome the condition.
Keep reading our blog for more mental health tips and advice.