How to Support Someone Struggling With a Mental Illness

Struggling with a mental health condition is extremely difficult. These experiences can leave individuals feeling hopeless, isolated, and confused. Moreover, family, friends, and loved ones of someone dealing with a mental health condition can also be heavily impacted. If you are close to someone struggling with a mental illness, you may be feeling overwhelmed, unsure of what you can do to help. Keep reading for some ideas of how to help support someone dealing with a mental illness.

1. Do Your Research

First and foremost, do your research. If someone close to you has a diagnosed mental disorder, take some time to educate yourself. Taking the time to learn about what someone else is going through will not only help them to feel more supported, but it will also help you to be more aware of what they may be experiencing, what you can do to help, and what is and isn’t a typical part of the condition.

2. Be There for Support

The person in your life may want to talk to you, or they may not. Letting them know that you are here to support them can help them to feel less isolated in what they are going through. However, it is important to let the person talk to you on their own terms. Trying to force someone to talk to you or pushing them beyond what they are comfortable sharing can be really overwhelming, and potentially damage their willingness to trust or open up to you.

3. Help Them Get Professional Support

If the person in your life is not already seeing a mental health professional, it may be helpful to suggest this option to them and help them with the process. Mental health professionals are trained in working with people dealing with a variety of mental disorders. They help to support people in what they are going through, find ways to improve coping skills, achieve set goals, and work through mental health conditions. Helping your loved one during the search process could be really helpful, especially if they feel overwhelmed with the thought of searching for a clinician. Finding someone who specializes in working with the relevant mental health disorder(s) and someone who your loved one can feel comfortable talking with is helpful. For more information on finding a therapist and scheduling the initial session, check out this blog.

4. Be Mindful of What You Say

At some point in time, we have all said something that came off the wrong way. In many of these cases, we mean well in what we say, but the message comes out completely different. Other times, we may say something out of anger or frustration, also conveying a message that we may not actually feel. What we say, and how we say it, matters. While it is nearly impossible to always say the “right” thing, being more mindful of our words and how they may be conveyed is very important. Taking a moment to think before speaking, being mindful of the words and the tone used, can help to promote support and understanding, rather than being perceived as an attack.

5. Be Aware of Your Emotions

Just as it is important to be mindful of what you are saying, it is also important to be mindful of how you are feeling. Being around someone in the throes of a mental illness could be highly stressful and draining. Taking the time to check in with yourself and note how you are feeling in the moment is crucial. If you are not in a positive mental space, it makes it really difficult to be there for someone else. In addition, building mindfulness about your emotions can help you to promote your own well-being and prevent unnecessary conflicts or lashing out at others.

6. Set Up Boundaries

Boundaries are necessary for any relationship. Especially if you are a caretaker or spouse of someone dealing with a mental illness, you may feel the need to be around them all the time. In other circumstances, you may be constantly called by the person to check in and be expected to support. Having these unclear or nonexistent boundaries can cause further strain, frustration, and unhealthy relationship dynamics. Setting clear boundaries with the other person and knowing when you have reached your limit is necessary for your well-being and for the health of the relationship.

7. Maintain Self-Care

Filling up your metaphorical cup helps you to be more present and better able to help others. Identifying a few self-care practices that you enjoy and are able to do on a routine basis can help you to promote your own mental health and well-being. Take some time to think of what practices you find relaxing and consider ways that you can incorporate them into your schedule. For some ideas, please refer to this blog.

8. Seek Out Your Own Mental Health Support if Necessary

Being a caretaker or a source of support for someone going through difficult challenges can be draining on your own mental health. Moreover, the person’s behaviors, thoughts, or circumstances may bring up some difficult memories or feelings for yourself. Seeking out your own professional mental health support can be a huge help! Prioritizing your mental health is vital, and mental health professionals are always available to support you in what you are going through.

If you or a loved one are in need of support, please reach out to us at Hudson Therapy to connect with our client liaison and get started with a clinician. We are here to answer any questions you have and help you through what you are experiencing using evidence-based treatments and genuine support.