4 Ways To Support Someone Struggling With Mental Health
Published May 23rd, 2024
3.5 min read
Learn how to support your friends and loved ones.
Written by Simon Spichak
At some point in their life, everyone will struggle with their mental health. They may be under a lot of pressure or may even develop a mental illness. However, many people have no idea how to respond to someone going through tough times. Sometimes, your best intentions might not be very helpful, or they might be overwhelming. Instead, try these proven strategies for helping a loved one struggling with mental health.
1. Ask them if there’s anything you can do to help
When some people find out their friend, family member, or loved one is having mental health difficulties, they want to spring into action right away. They may bake some cookies, offer advice, or try to help fix their loved ones' problems.
While this comes from a good place, it can be overwhelming for people struggling with mental health, and it isn’t always what they need at the moment. In many cases, people don’t want to hear advice or solutions. The most important thing you can do instead is ask how you can help — whether they want someone to listen or need any other support, such as help getting groceries or cleaning around the house.
2. Keep including them in social activities
Depression and other mental health conditions can make people feel like a burden, leading to even more self-isolation.
You can keep including your loved ones in social activities—while they might not always accept the invitations, just knowing that they’re still being included can go a long way. Playing sports, video games, or going to concerts can also help provide a much-needed distraction or pick-me-up.
3. Validate what they say and feel
You might not fully understand what your loved one might be going through, but you must continue to validate what they say and how they feel.
If they tell you that they feel all alone and that no one really cares for them, don’t tell them that isn’t true. Instead, tell them that those feelings sound like they’re hard to deal with. You can ask follow-up questions like “Why do you think you feel that way?” to keep the dialogue going.
This shows them that the way they are feeling is entirely valid and that you aren’t downplaying or denying their experiences.
4. Understand that your loved one is going through hard times
Mental health has a profound impact on physical and cognitive health. People with depression or anxiety might develop brain fog and become more forgetful; they may experience severe fatigue and may have trouble leaving the house. They might not message you first even when they want to talk.
Some people might interpret this as their loved one being rude or avoiding them. But they still care about you, appreciate getting invited to group activities even if they don’t attend, and appreciate your company.
Don’t get mad or upset with your loved one because of these health issues, be understanding and accommodating.
Takeaway
The most important thing you can do for someone struggling with mental health is ask them how you can help and avoid the urge to offer advice and quick fixes. Be kind and understanding of your loved one in this time of need. If you want to learn more about mental health or therapy, you can explore our other blog posts and follow us on Instagram and other social media platforms.
Please note that this post is written for educational purposes; it is not therapy. If you need to talk to a professional, please book a consultation with a psychotherapist through Resolvve.
