You

This is going to be another post about mental health. I figured it is something real that is happening right now in my life and I am going to share about it. This post is going to be about how you (yes you!) can help someone suffering with a mental health illness.

1. Be a listening ear. People suffering from mental health conditions know they have a problem, they don't need you to solve it, they need you to be there. No matter what happens.

2. Understand that sometimes plans have to be flexible. There have been times where I wanted so badly to go out with my friends but my anxiety gets in the way and I just know it would be best if I had this anxiety attack at home.

3. Make sure that your friend or family member knows you are there, no matter what they are feeling like. Personally, I have had days where it feels like no one is there. Usually that is when God puts someone in my life, via phone call, text or email, who lets me know how wrong I was.

4. Do your research. Google your friend or family member's specific diagnosis and see what ways you can help with what they are dealing with.

5. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT tell them to snap out of it. You wouldn't tell someone with a broken leg to walk it off, don't tell someone with a mental illness to snap out of it.