Recognize when professional help is necessary
There are limits to informal support. Some problems require professional intervention. The severity of a problem depends on the following formula:
Distress x Disability x Frequency = Severity

Distress is the depth and severity of the emotional response. A person in deep depression or rage needs professional help. An ordeal can be so traumatic that Friends need a professional response. Disability is the impact of the ordeal on Friends’ lives. People affected by depression, for example, may withdraw from social contact and stop going to work. They cannot take effective action. Duration is the length of time of Friends’ struggle to cope. A person who does not respond to informal social support over time may need the more formal support of a mental health professional.

As powerful as it can be, informal support is not a substitute for this professional help. Our caring may guide Friends to the professional assistance they need to recover. As helpers, we should know what mental health support is available in our communities.

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Danger Signs