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When is comes to mental health, it can be hard to tackle the struggles when faced alone. It is also difficult for others to step in and help without the proper knowledge of how to handle the situation. These are some helpful tips, provided by Psychology Today and MentalHealth.gov, on how to help your family and friends who may be going through a rather struggling time. Consult these tips before you lend a hand, and remember to be awesome!

Do Some Research 

First thing is first, if a friend or family member confides in you and tells they are struggling with their mental health, do some research. Knowing the ins and outs of their illness can help you understand more of what they are going through. This can also help you not rush into rash judgments and save you from acting like you know everything.

Be There for Them 

If someone is telling you they are experiencing issues, they truly trust you. Don’t take advantage of that trust. Odds are they haven’t told a lot of people about how they are feeling, so be there for them. Being their shoulder to cry, so to speak, can make a huge difference that you may not even realize. Remember, being there for them means that, more often than not, they are going to be there for you.

Don’t Push

If someone is not ready to talk about their mental health or they are not in the mood to discuss it, then drop the conversation. Talking about mental health issues can be scary and is often very difficult for the person talking about it to open up. They need time and space. Do not pry! Mental health is important and so is seeking help. However, sometimes a person needs to figure out their own feelings before they discuss it with others.

Try and Understand

Understanding mental health is a huge task that can be very difficult. Often people are quick to judge or even think less of a person suffering from these illnesses. There is no reason to think of this person any differently. They are still the same person you have come to love but now they are in need of some help. You may not fully understand what they are going through but ask them to explain how they are feeling or thinking. This will give you a better understanding of how their mind is working. Always remember, you had respect for this person before they confided in you, never lose that respect over a mental health issue.

If There is a Crisis: Seek Help.

Whenever someone tells you how they are truly feeling, sometimes they may be in danger of hurting themselves or others. This is when you need to seek help. Whether it be from a hotline (1-800-273-8255), Passan Health Services found on campus, or calling 9-1-1. You cannot help someone all by yourself if the situation has reached a serious point. Also, don’t feel like you can do it all by yourself. Seeking help is not a bad thing, nor should you feel like a bad person for doing so. Everyone needs help sometimes.