Supporting our
family member
Families are an important pillar of support and we care deeply for them. As someone close to them, we might notice when they are unwell or seem different from their usual selves. They might also look towards us for advice and support when going through
difficult times.
Read on to find out how we can support them with their mental health
and well-being.
Tips on supporting our family member
When communicating with them, it is useful to take note of the following:
Different mental health challenges
Like all of us, our family members might experience life changes that can affect their mental health and well-being. As a family member, we can learn about the mental health challenges they might face so that we can better support them.
Our family members may be experiencing difficulty falling or staying asleep. If we notice them going through this, we can read more about sleep health and useful tips to share with them.
New experiences and life transitions might bring about stress and it is important for us to help our family members manage stress before it
overwhelms them.
Click
here to learn some tips that we can share with them about
stress management.
When things get overwhelming, our family members might experience intense emotions. We can help them learn to be more aware of their emotions and manage
them better.
Click
here to pick up some tips that you can share with them on
managing emotions.
It is normal to feel sad occasionally, but if we notice our family members feeling down over an extended period, they could be suffering from depression. To better support them, we can
learn more about what they are going through and how to seek help.
Here are some tips on caring for family members with depression:
OCD is one of the top three most common mental health conditions. If our family members have OCD, they might constantly have intrusive thoughts and ritualistic behaviours that cause them distress and anxiety. To better support them, we can
learn more about what they are going through and how to seek help.
Here are some tips on caring for family members with OCD:
It is normal to feel anxious at times, but it can be concerning if our family members often feel uneasy and have trouble controlling their worries. If it comes to a point where their daily life is affected, it might be a sign of anxiety disorder. To better support them, we can
learn more about what they are going through and how to seek help.
Here are some tips on caring for family members with anxiety disorder:
Amid the hustle and bustle of daily lives, we may encounter a fair share of challenges and issues. Be it financial worries, juggling family commitments or pressure at work, these challenges can bring about strong feelings of stress, self-doubt, uncertainty and fear. When these get too overwhelming, some might hurt or contemplate hurting themselves to seek relief.
Click
here to learn more about self-harm and suicide as well as how to help our loved ones cope with it.
Self-care matters
Caring for our family member while juggling other aspects of our lives can take a toll on our physical and mental well-being. Ultimately, the lack of self-care will make it more difficult for us to care for them, so we should not feel guilty about attending to
our needs.
Practising and prioritising self-care will allow us to recharge and be ready to provide them with the support they need. Refer to these tips on
managing stress and
emotions to keep
ourselves healthy.