Engagement and Communication Practices with Persons who have a Mental Health Condition
Engagement and Communication Practices with Persons who have a Mental Health Condition
Disability engagement and communication requires some planning and thought, especially when you are working toward being a church where everyone feels welcome and a sense of belonging. Many people have not thought about ways to make interactions with those of us who are disabled easier and more natural. To start with, remember that each person is unique and all of us are made in the image of God. If you encounter a disabled person who may need assistance, ask if help is wanted and exactly how you can help.
What is a mental health disability?
A mental illness is a condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling, behavior or mood. These conditions deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others. Mental health conditions are far more common than you think, mainly because people don’t like to, or are scared to, talk about them. A mental health condition isn’t the result of one event. Research suggests multiple, linking causes. Genetics, environment and lifestyle influence whether someone develops a mental health condition. A stressful job or home life makes some people more susceptible, as do traumatic life events. Biochemical processes and basic brain structure may play a role, too. (1)
When you are with a person who has a Mental Health Condition…
Listen with empathy.
Do not make guarantees or promises you cannot keep. (like “Everything will be okay.”)
Don’t make assumptions about what anyone can or cannot do.
Avoid trite responses like “It can’t be that bad”, “But you always seem so happy”, “Come on, things could be worse!”, “Snap out of it!”, “Everyone feels down sometimes”, “If I can do it, anyone can!”
Share your story (personal experience with mental health struggles) if it helps build trust, but do not overshare, or assume your story is the other person’s experience.
Educate yourself. It is important when you act as an ally to try to understand. Ask for information from a reliable source when you don't know what to do or how to respond. (2)
Take care of your own mental health. Set limits. Be clear about when and how you can be available to an individual.
For more extensive training, Mental Health First Aid would be a place to start. (3)
For more information:
Developed April 2024
Rev. Debbie Hills, Members of Mental Health Task Force
Links for redundancy: