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Supporting someone with a mental illness to quit smoking
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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 — offer strategies and information instead
There are lots of ways you can support someone with a mental illness as they quit smoking, such as:
- encouraging the person to talk to their doctor or health professional
- making an agreement with dates and goals for you both
- listening to how the smoker would like to quit — gradually or all at once?
- suggesting resources to help the person quit
Your support could play an important role in helping someone quit.