When someone we love is struggling with their mental health, it can be difficult to know exactly how to help. We want to ease their pain, but may feel uncertain about what to say or do. This guide offers practical advice for supporting a loved one through mental health challenges while also maintaining your own wellbeing.
Educate Yourself
Understanding the basics of what your loved one is experiencing can make a significant difference. Learning about their specific condition—whether it’s depression, anxiety, PTSD, or another mental health challenge—helps you grasp what they’re going through and how best to support them.
Resources like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Mental Health America, and other reputable health organizations offer accessible information. Remember that each person’s experience is unique, even with the same diagnosis, so use this knowledge as a foundation rather than assuming every symptom or treatment applies to your loved one.
Listen Without Judgment
One of the most powerful ways to support someone is simply being present and truly listening. Create space for them to express themselves without fear of judgment, criticism, or unwanted advice.
Avoid phrases like “just cheer up” or “it could be worse,” which can minimize their feelings. Instead, validate their experience with responses like “That sounds really difficult” or “I’m here for you.” Sometimes people don’t need solutions—they need to be heard.
Encourage Professional Help
While your support is invaluable, mental health professionals have the training to provide specialized care. Gently encourage your loved one to seek professional help if they haven’t already. This might include:
- Offering to help research therapists or treatment options
- Accompanying them to appointments if they’re comfortable with that
- Helping navigate insurance or financial aspects of care
- Normalizing therapy as a form of self-care rather than a sign of weakness
Remember that the decision to seek help must ultimately be theirs (except in crisis situations), so be patient and supportive of their timeline.
Be There for Daily Support
Mental health challenges affect everyday life, and practical support can make a tremendous difference:
- Help with routine tasks when they’re struggling (groceries, cleaning, etc.)
- Invite them to join you for walks or other gentle physical activities
- Send check-in texts that don’t pressure them to respond immediately
- Maintain a normal relationship beyond their mental health challenges
These small acts show that you care and recognize both their struggle and their personhood beyond their condition.
Set Healthy Boundaries
Supporting someone through mental health challenges requires sustainable care, which means establishing boundaries. You cannot be available 24/7, nor can you take responsibility for their recovery.
Communicate your boundaries compassionately: “I care about you deeply and want to support you. I need to take care of my own health too, so I might not always respond immediately, but I’ll always get back to you.”
Know the Warning Signs of Crisis
Familiarize yourself with warning signs that might indicate your loved one is in crisis, such as:
- Talking about death, suicide, or feeling hopeless
- Increased isolation or withdrawal
- Giving away possessions
- Sudden calm after a period of depression
- Increased substance use
If you observe these signs, take them seriously. Don’t hesitate to contact crisis resources like 911, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or accompany them to an emergency room if necessary.
Practice Self-Care
Supporting someone with mental health challenges can be emotionally taxing. Prioritizing your own wellbeing isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.
Consider joining a support group for family members of people with mental health conditions. NAMI offers family support groups nationwide. Maintain your own therapy or counseling if needed, and don’t neglect your physical health, social connections, and personal interests.
Choose Your Words Carefully
Language matters when discussing mental health. Avoid phrases that might inadvertently stigmatize or minimize their experience:
Instead of: “Are you taking your meds?” Try: “How are you managing your treatment plan? Is there any way I can support you with it?”
Instead of: “You seem better today!” Try: “It’s good to see you. How are you feeling today?”
Instead of: “Have you tried yoga/meditation/positive thinking?” Try: “What strategies have been helpful for you lately?”
Celebrate Small Victories
Recovery isn’t linear, and progress often comes in small steps. Acknowledge and celebrate these moments without overemphasizing them:
- Getting out of bed on a difficult day
- Attending a social event despite anxiety
- Following through with therapy appointments
- Practicing self-care routines
These acknowledgments validate their efforts without creating pressure to maintain constant improvement.
Remember the Person Beyond the Diagnosis
Remember that your loved one is not defined by their mental health challenges. Continue to engage with their interests, passions, and the aspects of your relationship that brought you together initially. Share jokes, discuss books or movies, reminisce about good memories—all the normal activities that make up human connection.
How Dana Behavioral Health Can Help
Supporting a loved one through mental health challenges can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Dana Behavioral Health offers comprehensive resources and professional support for both individuals experiencing mental health difficulties and their support networks.
Our team of experienced clinicians specializes in a wide range of mental health conditions and provides personalized treatment plans tailored to each individual’s unique needs. Visit our website at www.danabehavioralhealth.org to explore our services and become a patient.
Remember, seeking professional help is a sign of strength, not weakness. By partnering with Dana Behavioral Health, you’re taking an important step toward supporting your loved one’s journey while also ensuring your own wellbeing throughout this time.
Contact us today at 781-429-7755 or info@danabehavioralhealth.org to learn how we can support both you and your loved one on the path to improved mental health.
*If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for immediate assistance