{"id":25927,"date":"2021-11-01T14:57:57","date_gmt":"2021-11-01T18:57:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mentalhealthcommission.ca\/?post_type=resource&p=25927"},"modified":"2025-07-24T14:42:48","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T18:42:48","slug":"how-can-i-help-someone-in-mental-distress","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/mentalhealthcommission.ca\/resource\/how-can-i-help-someone-in-mental-distress\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can I Help Someone in Mental Distress?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Approach & Assess
<\/strong> – Invite the person to talk.
– If there is a risk of suicide or harm, reach out to First Responders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen Without Judging
<\/strong>– Help the person speak freely by listening and asking questions without judging or telling the person what to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give Reassurance
<\/strong>This hopeful message helps to counter any shame associated with mental distress, reluctance to talk about, or reluctance to reach out for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encourage Professional Help
<\/strong>Help them to identify appropriate professional supports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encourage Other Supports
<\/strong>Help the person to find ways that others can support them during this time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Approach & Assess – Invite the person to talk. – If there is a risk of suicide or harm, reach out to First Responders. Listen Without Judging– Help the person speak freely by listening and asking questions without judging or telling the person what to do. Give ReassuranceThis hopeful message helps to counter any shame…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":25972,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[184,187,809],"tags":[],"program":[],"program-area":[269],"audience":[123,122],"covid-hub-category":[451],"health-canada":[834],"class_list":["post-25927","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-infographics","category-posters","category-professional-resources","program-area-covid","audience-for-employers-and-employees","audience-for-you","covid-hub-category-at-work","health-canada-professionals"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow Can I Help Someone in Mental Distress? - Mental Health Commission of Canada<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Approach & Assess - Invite the person to talk. - If there is a risk of suicide or harm, reach out to First Responders. 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