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What should you do if one of your loved ones – your wife, your partner, your child, or your friend – suddenly changes? If they are no longer happy and fun-loving like they used to be – and are withdrawing from social life? Are they maybe depressed?
In this article, we offer checklists, information, and services that will help you to detect mental illness among your friends and loved ones at an early stage. We also provide tips on how you can talk to the person affected about your concerns regarding a potential issue.
We address the following questions:
If someone is experiencing a mental health emergency, they should consult a doctor immediately, or contact the "Die Dargebotene Hand/La Main Tendue" organization by dialing the number 143.
Mental illnesses can take many forms. Depression and burnout are the most well known. However, there are many other disorders that are considered to be a mental illness.
Approximately half of the people in Switzerland are affected at least once in their life by a psychological crisis. However, awareness of the subject of depression and other mental illnesses is lacking among the wider population. Symptoms of depression and how they are treated are also widely unknown. Moreover, those who are affected fear being stigmatized because of false prejudices. Few seek the help of a doctor. Even though for most people who suffer from mental issues, such as depression or burnout, recovery is possible.
Psychological problems can intensify gradually. They often take hold over an extended period of time. In the case of depression, burnout, and other psychological disorders, individual sudden factors are seldom the cause; Rather, the affected persons often go through several phases which trigger psychological stress.
Stress during studies, on the job, and work:
Relationship tensions:
Behavioral changes can point to psychological stress. Symptoms can include withdrawal from active life, despondency, and/or lethargy. Sadness or complaints of trouble sleeping are also often symptoms of psychological problems. People who are depressed leave the house less and less over time. They often are irritable or have a hard time concentrating. If they are paranoid or have panic attacks, hear voices, experience hallucinations, or have confused thought processes, they may even have a psychosis.
Yes – psychological strain such as depression can also lead to physical illnesses and impact the life of the affected person in this way, too. For example, a lot of sad, stressed, or mentally impaired people complain first about headaches. This is followed by a feeling of tightness in their chest or digestion problems. If the causes of the pain are not due to physical health issues, this is called a psychosomatic illness. It is a clear sign of a psychological stress.
Does your wife, partner, child, or someone else in your circle of friends suffer from a mental illness? The good news is that you can help this person. You can help people with depression and other mental illnesses in different ways. Even the feeling that they are not alone can help somebody who is suffering from depression.
Talk to the affected person in a quiet situation, when you will not be interrupted, and take your time. What matters is that everyone feels comfortable during the entire conversation. Use “I messages” – for example, you could say: “I am worried about you.” Show that you want to help and mention specific support programs, which you have researched before the conversation.
Avoid suggesting your own solutions. Neither well intentioned advice nor comparisons with your own situation are appropriate. In fact, they often exacerbate the situation and emotional perception of a person suffering from depression.
It often helps the affected person to know that you are there for them and will listen. It’s best to ask your loved one directly regarding how you can help and provide support. It’s also a good idea to consider how many resources you yourself are prepared to give and how much time you are able to spend for any care and support the affected person may need.
Even a first conversation with a trusted person can motivate an affected person to get help from a support center. In Switzerland, there are various points of contact for people experiencing psychological strain.
The Pro Mente Sana foundation is a point of contact for people in situations of psychological stress (e.g. with depression or in a life crisis) and for their loved ones and therapists. It provides help in finding answers to questions regarding mental illness.
If the psychologically impaired person trusts their general practitioner, then it would also be reasonable to set up a doctor's appointment. The medical specialist can also prescribe psychotherapy or other suitable treatments.
A first point of contact is the Dargebotene Hand , at the number 143. It is a helpline available to those affected as well as their loved ones around the clock and is anonymous.
For children, young people, and their parents, there are online platforms such as projuventute.ch and Feel-ok.ch , or there is prosenectute.ch, which provides assistance to the elderly.
What if your help is rejected? Some people find it difficult to talk about their feelings and mental wellbeing. Accept the situation and show your willingness to help. You can’t force anyone to accept help. Mention the option of contacting a help center to get professional help. Help your loved suffering from depression to find the right point of contact, provided this is what they want.
Be sure to comfort the affected person and organize support. Always inform the person of the steps you are taking and tell them about your own feelings. Try to include them in the decision-making process. It would be a mistake to ignore the warning signs of a mental illness like depression. Accusations and guilt are also inappropriate.
If you yourself are suffering from the situation, talk with other friends and family about it. You, too, can seek professional help – for example, in a self-help group for family and friends of people suffering from depression or from a corresponding association such as VASK (german; umbrella association of associations for friends and relatives of the mentally ill).
Talk about your own feelings and concerns. This way, you can show your openness for the feelings of your partner, husband, child, or parents. Set a good example. Be a good friend in every way and always be a good listener. By having the courage to talk about your own weaknesses and worries, you show empathy and build trust. Let the people you love feel that you believe in them and accept them as they are.
Pursue hobbies and other free-time activities together with your partner, family, or friends. Regularly do things that are good for everyone and that are emotionally uplifting.
Stay socially active together and maintain a circle of friends. Learning something new and being creative also promotes mental health. Both exercise and time for relaxation are equally as important.
Sum up the courage and talk openly to the affected person. Discuss your concerns and show that you can be trusted and want to help. The experts of AXA and Pro Mente Sana advise the following:
Important note: These checklists and tips are in no way intended to replace a diagnosis by a doctor or psychotherapist. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health emergency, consult a doctor immediately, or contact the "Die Dargebotene Hand/La Main Tendue" organization by dialing the number 143.
Nadine Graf is a theme manager and writes texts for AXA on topics related to insurance and beyond.
