If someone you knew talked about their mental health issues with you, how would you respond?

[Paradiseequeen]

Mental health is vital, but there aren't as many discussions about it as there should be. Others respond with phrases like "this person is mentally ill" and "this person is coo-coo". Communication is difficult for someone suffering from mental diseases like post-traumatic stress disorder because they are afraid of being judged. Nobody cares until it's too late, and cries are generally ignored. Society is split into drama, rumors, and facts. These opinions are taken as true. So, how would you react if someone battling with mental health concerns opened up?

[NewWaves]

I'd direct them to someone who can help. Won't know who that person is until and unless I listen; I've advised a former coworker to go to a priest once. Don't know if he did it.
But I'm gonna have to put boundaries at some point. I don't want trauma dumping on me. I used to do that to people and it's not fair to anyone.
I'm not a spiritual director, I'm not a therapist. If I can listen, I may (may, it depends). If there's a solution I think I can find, I'll share it.
I have a cousin who's schizophrenic; I'm not going to pretend I know how to deal with that. And she is coocoo.

[Paradiseequeen]

yess and most people I know along with myself are in a better place now. Going to talk to a priest is something new to me lol never heard of that until now. how you know your cousin is schizophrenic or do you think she is?

[NewWaves]

Oh my cousin was diagnosed years ago. She's in her forties now and we knew back in her late twenties when her behavior started to change. She was even briefly hospitalized.

Priests are supposed to be shepherds. Doesn't really matter if you're catholic or not. They'll listen.

[Nikki1989]

I would respond with empathy, understanding, and support. That is what good friends do.

[Paradiseequeen]

it is appreciated, but also it can become a unhealthy trauma dump. At some point they should be ready to move forward with professionals

[Nikki1989]

Well, sometimes you have to push them in that direction if possible.

[ClassicDropout]

In hindsight, I'd try and get them to professional help as naturally and as smoothly as possible. I'm the least qualified person to try and deal with a mental health issue. I had to be the one to intervene when my friend of two decades has a mental health crisis. Now he won't talk to me at all. I don't ever want to be involved in this shit again.

[NathanDavis]

as the friend or family that I am...

[Paradiseequeen]

understood

[NathanDavis]

we support each other

[DizzyDesii]

I’d be considerate but wouldn't know what to say

[slatyb]

Sympathetically.