Top 5 Actions to Support Someone in Blue

Currently a lot is happening on social media about suicide, mental health, depression and related subjects. I do not intend to repeat the same rather would like to shed some light on what to do. My top 5 list of action items to support someone feeling low and going through a difficult emotional phase in life. Take action now and save a life.

1.      Mind your Health: - Mental health is equally important as physical health. Take care of mental health of people around you by spending quality time, eating together, walking together, listening to them in leisure time and not only work related, appreciate them frequently and genuinely. Appreciate yourself as well, don’t wait for others to recognize your achievements.

2.      Be Human: - Neither grownups nor children are perfect as God. We all are human with our own strengths and weaknesses. Accept this fact and set realistic expectations with others, be it parents, children, spouse, siblings, colleague, boss, politicians, society etc. Accept mistakes, blunders, try to improve if it’s in your control, if out of your control, let go of things. We cannot control everyone and everything in the world, in fact we cannot control anyone except ourselves.

3.      Emotional Acceptance: - Accept emotional condition of the person, especially of children. Don’t judge them immediately. Situation might look insignificant to you but it might be the most crucial for the other person, especially children. While listening to them, use phrases to express that you recognize their perception and understand how they feel. For example, “I understand how you feel…”, “I can understand what makes you feel like this…”, “I understand its natural to feel like this……….”, “If I am in your place, I would have felt the same way, I understand…..”. Denial to accept things as they are is immense challenge.

4.      Empathize: - Share your stories of failure and success. Don’t present yourself as a super hero on the story, who overcame similar issues magically. Be realistic in narrating your experience to inspire and not to intimidate. Objective to sharing self-stories is to convey the message that there is always a solution to every problem, if we discuss and intend to put efforts.

5.      Its OK to seek help: - Do not hesitate to seek medical help. Consult a doctor/ professionally qualified consultant if required. There is a lot of awareness and support available in today's world and it’s not a shame to seek advice.

 Help, understand, empathize and support people around you and don’t hesitate to seek professional help for yourself or for others. We can help the world, one person at a time.

 Thank you. Please share, comment and inspire.