How to Use Videos to Communicate with Mentally Ill People
by Brenna Clarine
Communicating with someone who has mental illness can sometimes be a challenge. That is why coming up with new and effective ways to get messages across to them is important. Many people struggle with knowing what to say or how to speak with the mentally ill, and videos can be an exceptional solution to this problem. No matter what, communication skills with mentally ill people must be founded on love and patience. Follow the tips below to learn how video can be a creative outlet to understanding others.
Why Video Is So Special
Videos offer a stress-free environment for you to share your message. Additionally, they are personal. When someone watches your video, they see and hear you, as if you were having a face-to-face conversation. In order to achieve effective communication with mental illness patients, your message must be clearly articulated, and video gives you the perfect opportunity to do this. Countless YouTube mental illness videos are available online to help give you some ideas.
What makes video stand out from a text message or phone call is that you have the ability to display nonverbal communication. Take advantage of this when creating your own mental illness video. Tone and body language are huge factors for anyone to understand your message fully. Smile in your video, even slightly, and use your body to emphasize certain points. All in all, video provides the perfect opportunity to communicate thoroughly without overwhelming the other person.
Creating Your Own Videos
Do not be daunted by the idea of creating your own videos. Video production has never been more accessible. As long as you have a device with a camera (or, even better, an actual video camera), then you are set. When you invest the time to produce your own video to share with a mentally challenged individual, the results will be well worth it. Not only will your message be conveyed efficiently, but the person will come to think of you as someone they can trust.
Determining your message
The message of the video may be as simple as, “I love you,” or as targeted as, “I would appreciate it if you would ask before borrowing my laptop.” Whatever you want to tell the mentally challenged person, make sure it is necessary and specific. Although you may write a script for your video, unscripted videos tend to be more genuine and from the heart. Try writing a loose script that lists the topics you want to cover, then use your own words to express the message.
Filming the video
Make sure you are in a setting with sufficient lighting. Natural lighting is often best, so you may even consider filming outside. As long as your viewer is not distracted by a lack of lighting, you are good to go. Minimize distractions, in your filming environment. Unless you find it useful to use visuals to get your message across, choose a simple background so you are the focus of the video. Also, make sure the camera is in focus before filming!
Next, set up a tripod for your camera in front of the chosen filming location. Shaky camera work is distracting and unnecessary; the least you can do is set the camera on a still platform for filming. If you have written a loose script, consider placing it in a visible position next to or behind your camera. Holding a script in your hands may be distracting and appear disingenuous. Once you have everything set up, press record and articulate your message.
Sharing the video
Once you have created your video and introduced the idea to the mental illness patient, upload the video to your computer. Share it directly using the easiest means possible for the viewer—text, email, social media, etc. You can also be in the room with the person as you are showing it to them. Simply pull it up on your phone or computer and present it. You can even upload it to YouTube, make the video private, then share the link with the other person. Whether you want to be present or not when they watch the video is up to you.
Video Communication Tips
- Acknowledge your audience. Do not make the person you are communicating with feel like they are all alone just because you are not physically in the room with them. Do not make the video about you but about your audience. Most importantly, recognize their presence without sounding confrontational or making accusations.
- Talk about the video afterwards. This goes along with the first point. Sharing a message with someone through video and then completely ignoring the fact later will make the clip seem distant or insincere. After you know that they have watched the video, ask them how they felt about it. Talk about the message within the video, and talk about how they liked video as a means of communication.
- Use humor. Remember not to be so serious about everything. Even if humor is not your strong point, you can still have a light and cheerful mood throughout the video. If you have the chance, throw in a couple of jokes to make the viewer laugh. They will appreciate it when you let your guard down and open up a bit with comedy.
Conclusion
Now that you know what a mental illness video is and how you can use it, it is time to start creating. If you think someone close to you who suffers from mental illness will respond well to the personal and authentic exchange that video provides, then go for it. Remember to fill the video with a safe and affectionate mood, not a disappointing or uninterested tone. Creativity is a huge part to developing communication methods that are effective and earnest. Taking the time to craft a sincere and meaningful clip for someone with mental illness is well worth it. Video can open doors to conversation you never even knew existed.
Brenna Clarine is a freelance blogger who writes and edits articles on a variety of topics. Check out her work at the Valoso blog, and benefit from her company’s awesome freelance video editing and videographer services at Valoso
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