I must be feeling adventurous. Such a huge subject in 500 words!

First let’s set some parameters. Boundaries are important in many situations and this is one of them. I want to discuss what happens in your family concerning MH.  

There have been many occasions on this blog when good advice has been given to look after yourself. This can involve prioritising your needs before anyone else. This sounds fairly simple but a lot of people don’t live in isolation. They have families! Even if you live alone you may have close relatives/friends that have become your “family”. We are social animals after all.

Often it is difficult discussing MH issues with those closest to you. My OH tells she is fed up with hearing about people with MH conditions. She feels there are many people who are jumping on the “MH bandwagon.” I am sure Covid and consequential isolation have badly affected many peoples MH. 

It is not easy discussing some MH issues with my OH and it is something I discuss with my therapist. To explain how you feel when there are no visible symptoms is difficult. It can be frustrating which can lead to angry feelings on both sides.   

Obviously our moods can be strongly affected by the behaviour of members of our family. Their needs can clash with yours. This can produce conflict and make good communications difficult. A great deal of tact and understanding is required between family members.

In my view families are a paradox. On the one hand they can be a vital source of support but they can also cause conflict that affects your MH. 

Caring and supporting a family member with a MH condition can be tough. It is only in recent months that I realise what my wife went through following my mental meltdown. It coincided with the start of the Covid pandemic so she had no support at all. 

I agree with the words of Glenn Close the American actress:

“What MH needs is more sunlight, more candor, more unashamed conversation about illnesses that affect not only individuals but their families as well.”

So what conversations do you have with your family about your MH condition or MH matters generally?

Teg

A Moodscope member