Like CPR, take a class to assist in mental health 'first aid'

It is estimated that 1 in 4 people in this country struggle with a mental health disorder. It may be that it is managed through therapy or medication or both.

However, many people do not seek treatment or if they do, it is ineffective. If 1 in 4 people have a mental illness, then there is a high likelihood that the other 3 out of 4 are in a position to be helpful to the individual struggling. They also can be more harmful, without meaning to be. So, I thought that I would focus this column on strategies to use when trying to be helpful and supportive so that you are not dismissive and hurtful. In my experience, short of the rare instance, no one goes out of their way to be harmful and dismissive. Most people have good intentions and want to be helpful, they just don’t know how.

Many times when people try to assist someone they can convey a dismissive tone. Why do we do that?

It can be that the behavior, worry or dread a person in your life feels has been happening for so long that you yourself need a break.

It could be that you cannot relate to excessive anxiety and depression, and cannot muster the empathy needed to be helpful.

Someone with excessive anxiety may overwhelm you with his/her worries and concerns. You can become overwhelmed so you instinctively try to put up a barrier between you and the person.

You may be angry because on some level you feel you are providing everything you can, and they should be happy and have no worries.

Perhaps, you feel it is a reflection of you as a person.

Regardless of the reason, it could lead you to saying things like “Don’t worry about it!” or “That’s ridiculous to be upset about!” or “What’s wrong now?” It can lead you to lash out or abandon the person altogether.

It may seem simple, but the ability to listen and have a meaningful conversation requires skill and patience. Listening is critical in helping an individual feel respected, accepted and understood. You should use a set of verbal and nonverbal skills, such as open body posture, comfortable eye contact and other strategies to engage in appropriate conversation. It is amazing what can happen when someone feels truly and honestly listened to.

It is important to recognize that mental illnesses and addictions are real; however, they are treatable illnesses from which people can and do recover. When talking to someone you believe may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness, approach the conversation with respect and dignity and don’t blame the individual for his or her symptoms. In other words, don’t say “If you had done this or not done that, you wouldn’t feel this way.”

Many of us have taken CPR or basic first aid. These classes are considered valuable because you can learn the skills necessary to be helpful to people in physical distress. Just as CPR helps you assist an individual experiencing cardiac arrest, and first aid can help a person experiencing an injury there is a new curriculum, which I recommend everyone take. Mental Health First Aid has been recognized in the last five years as a course which is relevant to our total population. You are much more likely to be in a position to be helpful to someone experiencing a mental health crisis, anxiety or depression than you are to come across someone having a heart attack or needing medical first aid.

Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. You will learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction crisis, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help. Mental Health First Aid provides information and resources you can offer to someone to provide emotional support and practical help.

Mental illness is commonly associated with shame, which prevents people from seeking treatment. Mental Health First Aid will teach you interpersonal skills, such as sustaining eye contact, listening without judgment and maintaining open body language. The goal is to help reduce this all too common reaction to people with mental health concerns. Individuals who take the course are more likely to feel comfortable reaching out to somebody who has mental illness in a non-discriminatory way. I always refer to stigma, and this course truly helps educate and enable people to feel more comfortable communicating with someone with mental illness. That in itself is a step to eradicating stigma.

If you would like to inquire as to where locally a Mental Health First Aid Class is being held, contact:

• Dutchess County Helpline: 845-485-9700
• Mental Health America of Dutchess County, Janet Caruso: 845-473-2500
• NAMI Mid Hudson: 845-206-9892
• Mental Health Association, Ulster County: 845-339-9090, etx. 113 

If you get together with friends this Super Bowl Sunday, have a great time and remember be safe, be kind and don’t drink and drive.

Andrew O’Grady is executive director of Mental Health America of Dutchess County. His column appears the first Sunday of the month in Healthy Living.