You Can't Help People Who Don't Want The Help?

Bridgton, Maine
August 2, 2020 3:44pm CST
In this day and age, psychiatric treatment for those struggling with mental illness has never been better. However, not all individuals with serious mental health issues want the help. And I've known a lot of people over the years who believe that if someone who needs help doesn't want the help, you can't help them. They say you can only help those who will do what they can to help themselves. But I've had a couple of shrinks tell me that the idea that you can't help those who don't want the help (and won't do anything to help themselves) isn't completely true. So with that said, I'd like to ask: how can you sometimes be able to help a person with mental illness who doesn't want the help and doesn't want to help themselves? Anybody have any ideas?
4 people like this
5 responses
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
2 Aug 20
How can a layperson give an intelligent answer to this question? You should have asked the shrinks you know and then tell us the answers.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (222797)
• Chile
2 Aug 20
I agree!
• Bridgton, Maine
2 Aug 20
I didn't ask the shrinks who told me this. I wish I had.
@popciclecold (38636)
• United States
2 Aug 20
That is a very good question, wish I knew.
@Lolaze (5093)
• St. Louis, Missouri
2 Aug 20
I’m a trained peer support specialist and one of the things we learn is just what you said - people have to want help. I have a pretty severe mental illness but I do well because I take medication, go to therapy, etc. my mom on the other hand admits to having depression and anxiety but won’t get any help. It’s caused a few big blow ups between us. Now I don’t try anymore because she’s made it clear she won’t get help.
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
2 Aug 20
a bit of confusing here.Not sure what your saying?
@ExplorewtMe (6332)
• Nairobi, Kenya
2 Aug 20
Why you want to help them who don't want your help. It is good to help those who need your help. I can understand in this scenario people denied help as we don't discuss these problems like other health issues.