Within pop culture and national news, there’s a new conversation happening around the topic of mental health. The stigma of mental illness is, slowly but surely, disappearing. More people are getting the help they need. However, there are more people who unknowingly suffer from mental illnesses. When a person suffers from a mental illness, this can manifest in a variety of ways. They could become violent in a manic state. They might also become really despondent and unproductive. While the person suffers, most people don’t address how this impacts the family members who are living through this. If you are someone who has been affected by a family member’s illness, consider the following tips.
- Honesty
Counseling and therapy are great services to take advantage of. Get a counselor that can deal with you on an individual basis. Then, when the family is ready, it’s a wise idea to have a session of Family Therapy St Paul residents rely on. When you do this, be honest about how you feel. Don’t hold back in order to protect someone else’s ego. You don’t need to be brutal in your honesty, but don’t suppress.
2. Outlets
Find a hobby or activity that you love to do. In fact, it’s a great idea to maintain a few outlets. One great outlet is exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, and it allows you to experience the beauty of life. Oftentimes, people get so caught up in their trauma that they don’t stop to live life. Travel. Go on dinner dates. Have fun.
While it is important to do what you can to help your family member, always remember to put your mask on first. Take care of yourself. If you’re up to the experience, family therapy in St Paul can actually be a healing and restorative experience for you and your family. Options Family & Behavior Services is dedicated to helping clients navigate their way through tough conversations that lead to healing. If you’d like more information, visit Optionsfamily.com.
