Australian Government Crest Department of Health and Ageing – SANE Australia Logo Image: Picture of man talking with a lady. Supporting someone with a mental illness to quit smoking It is up to the smoker to decide whether they want to change their smoking habits. You cannot make someone quit. But there are ways you can provide support. It will help if you: the process of quitting • learn about supportive and encouraging • are avoid being critical or negative • avoid telling them what they instead offer strategies and information. • ‘should’ do – Supporters often say the hardest part of helping someone who is trying to quit is with the added challenges that mental staying positive. It’s not always easy, especially illness brings. there is strong evidence that many people with a mental illness want … to quit and that smoking causes, rather than relieves, stress.1 Smoking and mental illness Smoking rates among people with a mental illness are high. There are many reasons for this, such as smoking to cope with stress and anxiety. However, there is strong evidence that many people with a mental illness want to quit and that smoking causes, rather than relieves, stress.1 Encourage the smoker to start their quitting journey by highlighting the reasons to stop smoking, including: improving their physical health and decreasing their chance of smoking-related • illness saving money they normally spend on cigarettes for personal treats or to help with • other expenses such as rent and bills gaining a sense of achievement and pride; and looking, feeling and smelling better. • Establish an agreement Ask the person who is quitting how they would like you to help. Your role may be different if you are the than if you are their friend or partner. It smoker’s key worker will probably work better for both of you if you come to an agreement about the type of support offered. One option is to establish a quitting contract that sets dates and goals for both of you. Tackling obstacles It is helpful to discuss potential obstacles at this stage, rather than waiting for them to arise. Obstacles for the person quitting can include: feeling pressured by your expectations •
Australian Government Crest – Department of Health and Ageing SANE Australia Logo Image: Picture of man talking with a lady. Supporting someone with a mental illness to quit smoking It is up to the smoker to decide whether they want to change their smoking habits. You cannot make someone quit. But there are ways you can provide support. It will help if you: • learn about the process of quitting • are supportive and encouraging • avoid being critical or negative • avoid telling them what they ‘should’ do – instead offer strategies and information. Supporters often say the hardest part of helping someone who is trying to quit is staying positive. It’s not always easy, especially with the added challenges that mental illness brings. … there is strong evidence that many people with a mental illness want to quit and that smoking causes, rather than relieves, stress.1 Smoking and mental illness Smoking rates among people with a mental illness are high. There are many reasons for this, such as smoking to cope with stress and anxiety. However, there is strong evidence that many people with a mental illness want to quit and that smoking causes, rather than relieves, stress.1 Encourage the smoker to start their quitting journey by highlighting the reasons to stop smoking, including: • improving their physical health and decreasing their chance of smoking-related illness • saving money they normally spend on cigarettes for personal treats or to help with other expenses such as rent and bills • gaining a sense of achievement and pride; and looking, feeling and smelling better. Establish an agreement Ask the person who is quitting how they would like you to help. Your role may be different if you are the smoker’s key worker than if you are their friend or partner. It will probably work better for both of you if you come to an agreement about the type of support offered. One option is to establish a quitting contract that sets dates and goals for both of you. Tackling obstacles It is helpful to discuss potential obstacles at this stage, rather than waiting for them to arise. Obstacles for the person quitting can include: • feeling pressured by your expectations
Supporting%20someone%20with%20a%20mental%20illness.docx