Tales from a Bruised Mind

I wanted to find out what supporting someone with mental illness is really like, so I enlisted the help of my best friend in life, my brother Ben.

Ben has been a very strong lifeline for me my entire life, but we’ve grown even closer in recent years, especially during my really tough months and years.

I did a very-mini-interview with him to help you, dear reader, learn a bit about what it’s like to support someone who is struggling with their mental health.

I hope you all get something out of it.

What was your first response to learning your brother had a severe mental illness, and how did you feel about it?

The first response I had when I heard what had happened was sadness. I felt that I had failed my job as an older brother in protecting my baby boy from the harshness of life.

What do you recommend people do if their family member or loved one is suffering a mental crisis/ episode?

Always seek professional help, while shifting into a role that focuses on caring and assisting without bubble wrapping, at the behest of the appointed doctor. Subsequently, be aware of the love language or affection styles that are receptive and appropriate to the family member or loved one, then support them in that manner.

Do you think more people should be aware of mental health issues, and why?

Everyone should be more aware of mental health issues, which is an evolving perspective within our contemporary society. The awareness should be not of the label, but the triggers and changing factors of somebody’s “upstairs”; no two people are identical.

What’s one or two things that you believe people should know about mental illness, that could/should become common knowledge?

When dealing with someone who has been diagnosed or is suffering from mental illness, keep your own perspective open and malleable. This will allow people to efficiently approach the situation and act accordingly. Being knowledgeable on certain factors and/or triggers that are associated with and can affect the specific person is also an integral component of being able to provide support.

What is it about mental illness that makes things more complex than something like a broken bone or a physical injury?

It cannot be obviously seen. Most of the time, a diagnosis is only officially made post-event, forcing the individual to navigate through their confusing headspace or episode before the cause, label and/or medicinal response can be made. You wouldn’t require someone to snap their arm in order to ascertain and identify said injury/problem.

And lastly, can you provide any tips on how to be better versed with mental illness? ie. reading up on stuff, reading books.

Read, listen and converse. The more information you intake, the better prepared and more aware you can be for a variety of situations. Speaking with professionals and affected loved ones further enhances that pool of knowledge.

Love,

Zak