Communicating & Interacting with Customers with Disabilities
Mental health disabilities affect the way people perceive the world and cope with stressors. When they are under control, these disabilities are often non-visible. Sometimes, however, a mental health disability may present itself through “odd” behaviours.
For example, a person suffering from depression might break out in tears or fall asleep in class; a person with a panic disorder may become breathless and scattered; a person with dissociative identity disorder may suddenly act like a different person, or a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder may have to perform some kind of repetitive ritual before handing in a test.
Tips
When communicating and interacting with someone you know who has a mental health disability or who is exhibiting behaviours associated with mental health disorders:
Treat the person with the same respect and consideration you have for everyone else.
Be patient. A person with a mental health disability may have difficulty concentrating, mood swings, poor memory or a lack of motivation.
In situations where you think the person needs additional help, be patient and calm.
Familiarize yourself with any protocols in place at your university for dealing with crisis situations involving mental health disabilities.
Make an effort to learn about resources available at your university and in the community for assisting persons with mental health disabilities.
Did You Know?
Mad Students Society (MSS) is an organization run by and for students. MSS was created to provide peer support, advocacy and self-empowerment for students experiencing mental health issues in post-secondary institutions and other centres of education such as adult education, and privately funded education institutions. See Sources and Resources for more information about MSS.
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