Mental Health First Aid

Supporting a loved one experiencing mental health challenges can be overwhelming, but knowing how to respond effectively can make a huge difference. This guide can help you provide the best possible support during panic attacks, suicidal ideation, depression, and PTSD episodes.

1. Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are an anxiety disorder characterized by sudden feelings of terror, sometimes striking repeatedly and without warning. They are often mistaken for a heart attack, sudden and repeated panic attacks of overwhelming anxiety and fear and a feeling of being out of control. 

• Other physical symptoms may include:
• Pounding or racing heart
• Sweating
• Chills
• Trembling
• Difficulty breathing
• Weakness or dizziness
• Tingly or numb hands
• Chest pain
• Stomach pain or nausea

 If you notice any of these signs in your loved one, follow these tips to help them get through it: 

• Stay calm: Your calmness can help reassure your loved one.
• Create a safe space: Encourage them to sit or lie in a quiet, comfortable place.
• Breathing exercises: Guide them to take slow, deep breaths. Try counting together – inhale for four seconds, hold for four seconds, and exhale for four seconds.
• Grounding techniques: Help them focus on the present, like:
  • Ask them to name five things they can see, four things they can touch, three things they can hear, two things they can smell, and one thing they can taste.
  • Encourage them to stamp their feet on the spot.
  • Ask them to raise their arms over their head.
• Offer reassurance: Remind them that the attack will pass and they are safe. Say things like:
  • “You can get through this.”
  • “I’m proud of you. Good job.”
  • “Tell me what you need now.”
  • “It’s not the place that is bothering you; it’s the thought.”
  • “What you are feeling is scary, but it’s not dangerous.”
• Avoid assumptions: Don’t make assumptions about what they need. Ask how you can help.
• Ask for help: Seeking help is a vital step in managing a mental health crisis. This can include calling 911 in emergencies, reaching out to a mental health hotline, finding a therapist, or taking your loved one to an emergency room. Professional support is crucial in minimizing symptoms and guiding them toward recovery.

At The Recovery Village, your loved one can benefit from a residential mental health care program that helps them develop a solid mental health framework. In a secure setting, away from everyday stressors and triggers, they can concentrate on their recovery. Our licensed, expert clinicians can provide your loved one the support and treatment they need.

2. Suicidal Ideation

Suicidal ideation involves thinking about, planning or wishing for death. Ideation exists on different levels of intensity. It begins with a general desire to die without any concrete method, plan, intention, or action. This can progress to active suicidal ideation, which involves a detailed plan and a determined intent to act on these thoughts. Signs that can help you recognize suicidal ideation in a loved one can include:

• Talking about wanting to die or end their life 
• Feeling or talking about having no reason to live 
• Expressing intense feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or being trapped
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and social activities
• Engaging in dangerous or self-destructive activities
• Severe mood changes, including sudden calmness after depression

If you think your loved one is in immediate danger or has a plan to end their own life, the quickest way to get help is to call 911 for help.

 If you notice any of these signs in your loved one. Follow these tips to help them get through it.

• Take it seriously: Always take any talk or signs of suicide seriously. Many people who commit suicide have expressed the intention at some point. You may worry that you’re overreacting, but the safety of your friend or loved one is most important. 
• Ask directly: Ask them if they are thinking about suicide. This shows you care and opens up a critical conversation. You can ask questions like:
  • How are you coping with what’s been happening in your life?
  • Do you ever feel like just giving up?
  • Are you thinking about dying?
  • Are you thinking about hurting yourself?
• Stay with them: Do not leave them alone. Remove anything that could be used for self-harm if it’s safe to do so.
• Contact professionals: Encourage them to seek immediate help from a mental health professional. If they are in immediate danger, call emergency services. Resources including:
  • Emergency Services: Dial 911 if there is a threat of immediate harm to yourself or others.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (1-800-273-8255) or text a crisis line. You can also use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential.
• Urge the person to seek treatment: Someone who is thinking about suicide or is very depressed may not have the energy or motivation to find help. If the person doesn’t want to see a doctor or mental health professional, you can suggest other sources for help. Support groups, crisis centers, and faith communities are good alternatives if needed.
• Offer your assistance to get help and support:  Continue to check in and support them regularly. Offer to make phone calls and review insurance benefits information. You also can offer to go with the person to an appointment.

3. Depression

Severe depression, or major depressive disorder, involves persistent feelings of deep sadness, loss of interest, and worthlessness. It can affect how you feel, think and behave, leading to emotional and physical problems. It can also significantly impair daily functioning.

Signs that can help you recognize severe depression include: 

• Persistent sadness or low mood
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
• Loss of interest in most or all activities.
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Frequent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts

If you notice these signs in your loved ones, follow these tips to help them get through it.

• Listen without judgment: Allow them to express their feelings without interrupting or offering solutions immediately.
• Encourage professional help: Suggest they speak with a mental health professional. Offer to help them find one or accompany them to their appointments.
• Be present: Spend time with them. Your presence alone can be comforting.
• Promote small steps: Encourage small, manageable activities. This could be as simple as going for a walk or eating a meal together.
• Offer help: Express your willingness to help by setting up appointments, going along with them and attending family therapy sessions.
• Check-In Regularly: Consistent check-ins show that you care and are there for them.

4. PTSD Episodes

A PTSD episode, often called a flashback or intrusion, is a psychological event during which an individual; relives the traumatic event. It’s an involuntary re-experiencing of the trauma, not just as a memory but as a vivid, current experience.

Signs that can help you recognize PTSD episodes include:

• Flashbacks or reliving a traumatic event vividly
• Nightmares
• Having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Severe anxiety
• Avoidance of places or activities that are reminders
• Hyperarousal (being easily startled)

 If you notice any of these signs in your loved one, follow these tips to help them get through it.

• Stay calm and reassuring: Your calmness can help ground them.
• Use Grounding Techniques: Help them focus on the present. Simple exercises like touching objects around them or describing their surroundings can help.
• Listen and validate: Listen to them without judgment. Validate their feelings and experiences.
• Avoid triggers: Help them avoid known triggers if possible.
• Encourage professional support: Suggest they speak with a mental health professional specializing in trauma. Offer to assist in finding support or attending sessions with them.

The Recovery Village offers trauma-informed care like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) and specialized trauma groups for veterans and civilians. These treatments are designed to help you process traumatic experiences, reduce symptoms, and promote healing in a safe and supportive environment.

General Tips for Supporting Someone’s Mental Health 

Supporting someone with mental health challenges requires empathy, patience and informed decision-making. Here are some essential tips to help both you and your loved one navigate these difficulties:

• Educate yourself: Educate yourself about their specific diagnosis, including common symptoms, triggers and treatment options. Understanding their condition can help you provide better support.
• Practice self-care: Supporting someone with mental health challenges can be draining. Ensure you are also taking care of your own mental health by setting boundaries, seeking your own support and engaging in activities that rejuvenate you.
• Be patient: Recovery is a process. Be patient with their progress and setbacks.
• Contact mental health professionals: Encourage your loved one to seek professional help and reach out to a therapist, counselor or psychiatrist for guidance. Professional support is crucial for effective management and recovery.
• Build a crisis plan: Work with professionals to develop a detailed plan that includes identifying triggers, listing coping strategies, emergency contacts, and local mental health resources. Share this plan with trusted individuals who can assist during a crisis.

How Do I Choose the Right Help for My Loved Ones?

Different types of mental health care meet different needs. Knowing the differences between programs can help you make the best decision for your care.

Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Care

Acute inpatient psychiatric care is designed for people who require immediate and intensive treatment due to severe mental health crises. This level of care includes 24/7 medical monitoring and interventions to stabilize the patient’s condition. They are often involuntary due to the crisis. 

Long-Term Residential

Long-term residential psychiatric care provides a stable, supportive environment where patients can focus on their mental health over an extended period. This type of care is ideal for individuals who require intensive treatment and a structured routine to manage complex mental health conditions effectively.

Subacute Inpatient Mental Health Care

Subacute inpatient mental health care caters to those needing residential psychiatric care without posing an immediate danger to themselves or others. Subacute mental health programs are voluntary, so patients can choose to leave on their own. These programs are also shorter at 2–4 weeks on average. The program often acts as a transitional step between an acute program and outpatient care.

Outpatient Therapy Sessions

Outpatient therapy sessions allow individuals to receive mental health treatment while living at home and maintaining their daily routines. These sessions can include individual, group and family therapy to support ongoing mental health management. They provide a flexible option for those who need regular support but do not require intensive inpatient care.

Inpatient Rehab for Mental Health at the Recovery Village 

The Recovery Village offers a subacute inpatient mental health program designed to provide your loved one with structured, intensive care that prepares them for life in recovery. 

Our inpatient mental health rehab includes:

• Comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning
• 24-hour nursing supervision
• Co-occurring substance abuse treatment for those struggling with addiction.
• Medication management, if necessary
• Individual therapy sessions with a therapist or counselor several times each week
• Ongoing review of treatment goals
• Recreational therapy, such as exercise, art and yoga
• Daily group therapy
• Aftercare and discharge planning to help you receive continued support post-rehab

Treatment goals are continuously reviewed to ensure they align with your needs. Various therapies are available, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), tailored to support your unique journey toward recovery.

Ready for the next step toward better mental health for you or your loved ones? Call our Recovery Advocates today to learn more about our inpatient mental health treatment programs and start your journey to recovery.