Mental Health Resources

Written By Katie

Mental Health Awareness Week According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness in their lifetime. They additionally report that, by age 40, approximately 50% of the population will have or have and a mental illness. With these numbers, it is imperative that all individuals have access to the mental health care they need. At Indigrow, we also believe it is truly valuable to help people know how to respond to and support their loved one struggling with a mental health challenge. We truly believe in the importance of community and the need to actively support our loved ones when they are struggling. This ‘wrap around’ approach helps to foster resiliency and healing for those in need.

Because of this, we would like to focus on a question we are commonly asked in our practice…

How do I support my loved one struggling with depression?

What does depression often look like and how do I know if my loved on might be struggling with depression?

  • Persistent low mood

  • Tiredness or lack of energy

  • Feeling worthless or guilty

  • Loss of interest or enjoyment of activities they used to enjoy

  • Trouble with focus or concentration

  • Increased feelings of frustration, irritability or anger

  • Significant change in appetite

  • Trouble sleeping

  • Thoughts of suicide

If you notice your loved one is showing any of these signs and it’s beginning to interfere with living their day-to-day lives, it might be time to talk to them about getting some support.

How can I respond and support my loved one?

  • Express to your loved one directly that you see them struggling, that you love them and that you’re concerned for them. Express that you’d like to help them and that they may need to connect with other supports as well.

  • Help explain to them that depression is a health condition and that there are ways to get help

  • Encourage your loved one to meet with their Doctor and seek the help of a trained mental health therapist. Your loved one might have trouble making the Doctor and counselling appointments, so you can offer to support them in making the appointments and even attend the first appointments with them if it would help them feel more comfortable.

  • Continue to invite your loved ones to connect with you regularly. Even though they might not be able to attend at this point, it’s important for them to know that their family and friends still love them and want to connect with them

  • If your loved one is making suicidal statements, please connect them directly with urgent mental health services, such as hospital, to help keep them safe. You can also connect them with crisis counselling lines to help ensure they have access to people to talk to who can help support them and keep them safe, day or night.

Crisis Lines in Calgary, Alberta

It is important to know how to support your loved ones if they are suffering from a mental health challenge. When people who are struggling feeling that their loved ones and community are wrapping around them, their odds of resiliency and getting the appropriate support are much higher. If you’re in doubt as to whether your loved one might need therapy to support them with their low mood or depression, you are welcome to call one of our therapists for a free consult.

Katie
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