Mental health disabilities

Mental health disabilities are not as visible as many other types of disabilities.

Some people with mental health disabilities may have:

• hallucinations (hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t there)
• difficulty concentrating or remembering
• acute mood swings.

Other people may not show any signs. You won't know that a person has a mental health disability unless you are told.

Here are some examples of mental health disabilities:

• schizophrenia
• depression
• phobias
• bipolar, anxiety and mood disorders.

Tips on how to interact with people who have mental health disabilities

• Treat a person with a mental health disability with the same respect and consideration you have for everyone else.
• Be confident and reassuring. Listen carefully and work with the person to meet their needs.
• If someone appears to be in a crisis, ask them to tell you the best way to help.