What are ways to effectively communicate with someone who has mental health issues?

Mental Health is such an important topic in a matter of public health, but yet the issue goes unnoticed. People who suffer from a mental health issue are so often ignored, because others do not know how to effectively communicate with them. In this blog, I hope that is will become clear to you that dealing with a mental health issue means being shunned from the world. Discussing mental health issues are not offensive if you are to communicate with the one who suffers from the issue. To begin with, being respectful to a person with a mental health issue will level and open up the opportunity for communication. Like anyone else, people who suffer from a disease want to feel respect. They do not want to be classified by their disease. Stereotypes are far from helpful in these situations. Furthermore, it is helpful to be aware of what type issue they are suffering with. Let them know that you understand, but do not mock them by saying that you experience the same feelings. After all, people who suffer from mental health issues are still human. Finally, the most important part of effective communication is to listen to their  thoughts and feelings. This is important, because the person may not completely understand where you are coming from so in that case you all would further be on different pages. The ways to effectively communicate with someone who suffers from a mental health issue is to be respectful, aware, and listen.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/threat-management/201010/communicating-people-mental-illness-the-publics-guide