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3 things to note to better support people with mental health conditions

As I read Miss Vera Sim’s article on having to live with obsessive compulsive disorder, a particular phrase stood out to me: “Indeed, it can be said that those who don’t suffer from mental health issues will never understand the struggle faced by patients, however supportive they are.”

Asking people with mental health conditions how they wish to be supported gives room to explore potential options that may work for them and their eventual recovery.

Asking people with mental health conditions how they wish to be supported gives room to explore potential options that may work for them and their eventual recovery.

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Jonathan Kuek Han Loong

As I read Miss Vera Sim’s commentary on having to live with obsessive compulsive disorder ("Gen Y Speaks: Like a fly always buzzing in my brain — how I battled OCD and emerged stronger"; June 21), a particular phrase stood out to me: “Indeed, it can be said that those who don’t suffer from mental health issues will never understand the struggle faced by patients, however supportive they are.”

As a researcher in the field of mental health personal recovery, this is the very point we aim to highlight and emphasise.

That is, recovery and mental health conditions are best understood based on what people going through these mental health challenges need and want, and how they describe their experience and struggles.

So how would this translate into action?

Here are three personal recovery-oriented suggestions to support your friends and family members who may be experiencing mental health conditions.

1. Ask them how they wish to be supported. By doing so, we are acknowledging we understand that everyone is different and that what works for us may not work for them.

Rather than guessing or assuming we know better what they need, merely asking, listening and seeking to understand their needs allow the people we are supporting to feel heard and recognised as a unique individual.

There is now room to explore potential options that may work for them.

2. Please include them in decisions about their treatment and care. Shared decision-making is a cornerstone of personal recovery because it gives the people experiencing mental health conditions a say in what kind of care they should receive.

As much as possible, we should involve the people we are trying to support in discussions around what type of services to seek.

This is especially important when caring for a loved one or family member who is living with a mental health challenge. Often, we may be asked to decide how their care should be provided, and it is during these moments that we need to make an intentional and conscious effort to involve them before making any decision.

3. Make sure you do not neglect self-care. Supporting someone with a mental health condition is challenging and you may need to adapt to a new perspective, but the outcomes are worth it. Many conflicts of opinion may occur while trying to understand and support the needs and wants of the person.

Therefore, we need to be keenly aware of our own needs and to take breaks from providing support without feeling guilty.

Your need to care for yourself own wellbeing must be first met before you try to support others through their journey with a mental health condition.

I hope we continue to come together as we have done these past months during the Covid-19 pandemic, stepping up to support those who needed help during these difficult times. However, let us also aim to better support people experiencing mental health conditions around us.

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Jonathan Kuek Han Loong is a doctoral candidate and mental health researcher at the University of Sydney who specialises in recovery approaches to the management and understanding of mental health conditions. His research is based in Singapore. The views expressed are his own. 

Have views on this issue or a news topic you care about? Send your letter to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.

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mental health support care recovery treatment

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