When a loved one is feeling down and hurting, it’s natural to want to say something to make him or her feel better. Have you had the experience of offering what you thought were loving and supportive words, only to be met with anger or frustration?
| What Helps | What Hurts |
| Talk to me. I’m listening… | Here’s my advice… |
| You’re not alone. I’m here for you. | You’ll be fine. Stop worrying. |
| I know you have a real illness that’s causing these thoughts and feelings. | It’s all in your head. |
| Tell me what I can do to help you now. | I can’t fix this for you; you have to do it yourself. |
| You may not believe it now, but the way you are feeling will change. | Snap out of it. |
A word of caution, if your loved one is actively threatening suicide, don’t try to handle the situation on your own. Call 911, take your loved one to the emergency room, or contact his/her mental health professional.
Pasadena Villa’s Smoky Mountain Lodge is an adult intensive psychiatric residential treatment center for clients with serious mental illnesses. We also provide other individualized therapy programs, step-down residential programs, and less intensive mental health services, such as Community Residential Homes, Supportive Housing, Day Treatment Programs and Life Skills training. Pasadena Villa’s Outpatient Center in Raleigh, North Carolina offers partial hospitalization (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (PHP). If you or someone you know may need mental health services, please complete our contact form or call us at 407-215-2519 for more information.
