Are you worried about a family member and their well-being?
When a horrific event with such tragic consequences occurs as in Newtown Connecticut with a desperately sad loss of life it quite naturally has a ripple effect outwards about mental health issues. And these include the biggest problems as well as the ones you're more likely to come into contact with in the family and friends.
And this ripple effect can raise anxiety in people about a family member or a friend who may be struggling with mental health issues. Obviously these worries are very, very unlikely to take this sort of nightmarish proportions - where you fear someone will get violent - but it just makes people become more aware of things like depression.
You mustn't hide from your worries if you're concerned a friend or family member is depressed or struggling in some other way. It's crucial that you keep communication lines open.
TODAY’S TIP: How to do this? With tact and honesty, armed with the confidence and courage that you're right to bring this up with your family member or friend.
Let them know that you only wish them well and want be supportive with any of their struggles. Sometimes this might be met with an angry response but more often with relief. And please don't let the possibility of an angry response hold you back from letting this person know you're worried.
Good luck with it, take care, Pamx