“Even when a person with mental
illness is extremely sick and can't control his or her behavior,
the person still usually knows when those around him or her
are being respectful. Trust can start to build on respect and
empathy; and the trusting relationship can be a life-line to
the sick and disoriented individual. This is especially true
if the person helping appears to be an authority figure, like
people in uniforms, suits, and especially those with guns and
cuffs.” — Dave
Allen, A Consumer
Do you have contact with people who have mental illness and need
help? Perhaps you serve as a volunteer or staff person at a shelter,
soup kitchen, outreach office, church, or on the street? Be aware
that you might be able, with information from this directory,
to tell a needy person where to go for help. Or, you might
even be able to assist the individual in getting to a mental
health worker, clinic, Social Security Office, or wherever
he or she needs to go. Just making an on-the-spot telephone
call to let the person talk to a trained mental health counselor
(available 24-hours a day) might help someone find the help
she or he needs, including the assistance they might need to
find housing and case management.
Often, when a mental illness appears present, you might be at
a loss on what to say and do. It is most important to convey that
you are genuinely concerned for the person's welfare. There are
people who by their behavior, conversation, or mannerisms signal
they may have a mental illness. But many people with mental illness
do not exhibit, based on casual contact, these obvious visual or
verbal signals.
Relationships are extremely valuable. When the person has known
you for a while and has learned to trust you, he or she is much
more likely to open up and accept help.
Knowing the right words to use and having a respectful attitude
when you are talking to a person who may have a mental illness
is important. Even when a person with mental illness is extremely
sick and can't control his or her behavior, the person still usually
knows when those around him or her are being disrespectful. Trust
can build on respect and empathy; and the trusting relationship
can be a life-line to the sick and disoriented individual. This
is especially true if the person helping him or her appears to
be an authority figure, like people in uniforms, suits, and especially
those with guns and cuffs.
Avoid arguing or denying that what the person with mental illness
is seeing, hearing and feeling is real. Instead, assure him/her
of your care and understanding, that what they are experiencing
is real to them and that you want to help. Honesty is always essential.
He or she needs to know that you can be trusted. Do not be discouraged
if the person does not comprehend what you are saying when he/she
is psychotic. Even though the thoughts of the ill person are disordered,
he or she may perceive and remember later. Learn as much as you
can about the mental health system and how it responds, or fails
to respond to the indigent people with mental illness. Know what
to do before a crisis develops. You will then be better able to
evaluate the situation and ask for help when it is really needed.
As you deal with the situation, keep in mind mental illness is
not the fault of the person. It causes much distress, not always
expressed outwardly, to the person dealing with the suffering.
He or she may not be able to tell you how the mental pain is hurting.
Know what steps to take if the individual with mental illness in
crisis, or just needs to get in touch with mental health workers
who can determine what needs to be done. This directory provides
information that may help you know where to turn. It gives you
a starting point to begin to help individuals with mental illness
wherever you meet them. It may be that if you do not help the man
or woman you meet, no one will.