Hi and welcome to episode 4 of 'Ask Mind'
I'm Lucy from Mind's information team
it's mine and my team's job to help write
all the information on Mind's website and
help to answer all the calls, emails and
texts that come through our helpline and
generally do all we can to make sure
that people know how to cope with their
mental health problems and navigate the
mental health system. Today we're going
to answer another common question we get:
'Can you make someone get help with their
mental health?' It's a really tough one
because unfortunately the answer isn't
always what people want to hear.
The truth is that, no, in most cases you can't
*make* someone get help if they don't want it.
If you feel like someone you love is
clearly struggling and can't or won't
reach out for help
or except any help you offer it's
understandable to feel worried, frustrated,
powerless.... especially if you think
they're not safe. Sitting by and doing
nothing just does not feel like an
option. But although it's really
difficult, they are an individual and
even if you don't agree with their
choices they do have the right to decide
if and how they want to deal with things.
You can't force someone to talk to you.
It's not easy talking about mental health
problems and putting pressure on someone
or making them feel they're not in
control of their own situation is only
going to make them feel more
uncomfortable and alone.
You can't normally force someone to get help as
adults we are all ultimately responsible
for our own decisions. This includes when
or if we choose to get help if we feel unwell.
You can't see a healthcare
professional for someone else.
A doctor might give you general
information about symptoms or diagnoses,
but they won't be able to share any
specific advice about someone else
without their agreement or consent.
There are some things you can do and
when they might feel like they're not
enough they can make all the difference.
They could even help someone to take the
first steps to getting some help. These
are things you can do. Be patient. You
won't always know the full story and
there may be reasons why someone doesn't
want to get any help. Let them know how
they're feeling is valid and that you
are there to talk to them without
judgment. Let them know you care about
them and you'll be there if they change
their mind.
Show them the ways that they can get
help if and when they're ready
and finally look after yourself. Worry and
stress can make you unwell too. If you
can, pay attention to how you're sleeping
eating and moving about. These little
things that can help us stay well.
There may be times when you're worried that
someone is unsafe, either to
themselves or someone else. They may be
feeling they want to hurt or kill
themselves or they may be behaving in a
way that's putting themselves or someone else
at immediate serious risk of harm in
this situation the quickest way to get
help is by calling 999 or going to A and E.
We have further info on this on our
website which can get severe clicking
on this pop-up.
In really exceptional circumstances it's possible to keep
a person in hospital or section them under
a law called the Mental Health Act. This is
done without their consent and often
against their will so it's very serious
and can only be decided by an approved
team of mental health professionals or
'AMHP's. If you feel someone is at
serious risk and will not approach
anyone for help you can contact their
local social services who can decide to
arrange an assessment this is a heavy
responsibility so before taking action
it's important that you understand what
might happen and what your loved ones
rights are. We have all you need to know
about this process on our website if you
think you might need to consider it.
So that's all for now I hope that helps if
it has click like and subscribe so you
can keep up to date the next episode if
it hasn't why not ask the questions next
time pop it in the comments below or
email us at askmind@mind.org.uk
remember if you could really do the
information right now
call our Infoline on a 0300 123 3393
Text them on 86463 or
email at info@mind.org.uk
Thanks for watching, bye!