Supporting a family member, friend, or colleague experience mental health and substance use starts with patience, understanding, knowledge, and acceptance. If someone you know is showing signs of mental health or substance use concerns, or reaching out to you, offer support by:

• Finding out if the person is getting the care that they need and want—if not, connect them to support services
• Expressing your concern and support
• Reminding them that support is available and that mental health and substance use concerns can be treated
• Asking questions, listening to ideas, and being responsive when the topic of mental health and substance use comes up
• Reassuring them that you care about them
• Including them in the conversations—continue to invite them to talk, without being overbearing, even if they resist your invitations
• Educating other people so they understand the facts about mental health, and encourage others not to stigmatize and discriminate
• Treating people with mental health and substance use concerns with respect, compassion, and empathy

Uncertain where to start? You can begin supporting a person you are concerned about by taking time to understand what they may be experiencing, learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health, and find ways to assist them in connecting to self-help and professional services. When you take the time to support others you can create pathways to wellness that they can engage in, but you can also discover ways to improve your own mental health.