📘 EASY READ TRAINING TEXTBOOK Module 1 – Supporting Someone with Mental Illness

 

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💬 What Does Support Mean?

• Supporting someone means helping them with their mental health
• It includes:
  • 💛 Being kind and caring
  • 👂 Listening
  • 🤝 Offering help
  • 📞 Encouraging professional support

👉 Support should always be respectful and patient

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🤝 Good Ways to Support Someone (DOs)

👂 Listen and Show Understanding

• Listen carefully
• Do not judge
• Let them talk
• Show you care

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💬 Validate Feelings

• Say things like:
  • “That sounds hard”
  • “I’m here for you”

👉 Their feelings are real, even if you don’t fully understand

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🧠 Learn About Mental Health

• Try to understand their condition
• Learn about:
  • Symptoms
  • Treatments
  • Support needs

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🤲 Offer Practical Help

• Offer help with specific tasks:
  • Cooking
  • Cleaning
  • Shopping
  • Appointments

👉 Be specific instead of saying “Let me know if you need anything”

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📅 Be Patient and Consistent

• Recovery takes time
• Check in regularly
• Keep supporting them over time

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🧍 Respect Their Boundaries

• Give them space when needed
• Let them decide what they want to share
• Respect their choices

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🗣️ Use “I” Statements

• Say:
  • “I’m worried about you”
• Instead of:
  • “You are acting wrong”

👉 This avoids blame

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❌ What NOT to Do (DON’Ts)

• Do NOT try to “fix” them
• Do NOT judge or dismiss their feelings
• Do NOT say:
  • “Snap out of it”
  • “You’re overreacting”
• Do NOT take their behaviour personally
  • (e.g., anger, withdrawal)
• Do NOT forget your own mental health
  • Set boundaries

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💡 Key Messages

• Support should be kind and respectful
• Listening is very important
• Small actions can help a lot
• You are not responsible for “fixing” someone

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📝 Quick Check

1. Name one way to support someone
2. Should you judge someone’s feelings?
3. Is it your job to fix someone?

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📘 EASY READ TRAINING TEXTBOOK

Module 2 – Treating Mental Illness

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💊 How Is Mental Illness Treated?

Mental illness can be treated using:

• 🗣️ Talking therapies
• 💊 Medication
• 🏃 Lifestyle support
• 🤝 Ongoing care

👉 Often, a combination works best

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🗣️ Talking Therapy

• Therapy helps people talk about:
  • Thoughts
  • Feelings
  • Problems

👉 A therapist helps the person:

• Understand themselves
• Learn coping skills
• Manage their condition

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💊 Medication

• A doctor or psychiatrist may prescribe medication
• Medication can help:
  • Reduce symptoms
  • Improve mood
  • Support recovery

👉 It should always be taken under medical advice

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🏃 Lifestyle Support

Healthy habits can help mental health:

• 😴 Good sleep
• 🍎 Healthy food
• 🏃 Exercise
• 🧘 Relaxation (mindfulness, breathing)

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🚨 Crisis Support and Planning

• Some people may need a crisis plan
• This may include:
  • Who to contact
  • What to do in an emergency
  • Where to get help

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📞 If There Is a Crisis

Get help immediately if someone is in danger:

• Contact a doctor or mental health service
• Call a crisis line
• Go to emergency services

👉 Help should be given quickly in emergencies

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🌟 Key Messages

• Mental illness is treatable
• Treatment can include:
  • Therapy
  • Medication
  • Support
• A crisis plan can help keep people safe
• Early help makes a difference

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📝 Quick Check

1. Name one type of treatment
2. What can therapy help with?
3. What should you do in a crisis?