How to Support a Loved One Struggling With Mental Health

When someone you care about is struggling with their mental health, it’s natural to want to help, but knowing how to help can be confusing or intimidating. You may worry about saying the wrong thing, overstepping boundaries, or not doing enough. Mental health challenges can affect anyone, and support from loved ones often makes a meaningful difference in navigating these struggles. While you can’t fix what they are experiencing, your presence, empathy, and informed support can provide comfort and help them feel less isolated. Below are some key ways to support a loved one struggling with mental health.

Warning Signs

Paying attention to significant changes in your loved one’s mood, behavior, or daily routines can help you identify when they may need additional support. While everyone has ups and downs, patterns that are persistent or severe may indicate that professional help is needed. 

Some warning signs to watch out for include:

-Withdrawing from relationships and activities: Avoiding friends, family, or hobbies they normally enjoy.

-Changes in sleep or appetite: Sleeping too much or too little, or significant changes in eating habits. 

-Low energy or motivation: Fatigue, lacks of interest in daily tasks, or difficulty completing usual responsibilities.

-Expressions of hopelessness or despair: Talking about feeling worthless, hopeless, or like things will never improve.

-Decline in work or school: Difficulty keeping up with tasks, assignments, grades, or respobsibilites that were previously manageable. 

-Neglecting personal hygiene: A sudden drop in grooming or appearance.

Ways to Communicate

Being supportive begins with listening and showing that you care. You don’t need to have all the answers, sometimes the most helpful thing is simply being present.

-Listen without judgment: Give your loved one space to share their feelings and experiences without immediately offering solutions.

-Ask open-ended questions: Questions like “How are you feeling today?” or “Is there anything I can do to support you?” encourage honest conversation.

-Validate their feelings: Acknowledging emotions like stress, sadness, or anxiety helps your loved one feel understood and less alone.

At the same time, avoid statements that minimize their experience, such as “Just cheer up” or “It’s not that bad”. These can make someone feel unheard or dismissed.

Educating Yourself

Learning about mental health is a powerful way to better support a loved one. Educating yourself can help you understand what they may be experiencing and reduce fear or confusion around mental health challenges.

You don’t need to become an expert or attempt to diagnose them. Instead, focus on learning general information from reliable sources so you can approach conversations with empathy and patience. Being informed allows you to respond thoughtfully and recognize when professional support may be needed.

Setting Boundaries While Staying Supportive

Supporting someone does not mean sacrificing your own well-being. It’s okay to set healthy boundaries while still being present and compassionate. Be honest about what you can and cannot provide, and encourage professional support when needed. Caring for yourself allows you to continue offering support in a healthy and sustainable way.

References

Helping a Loved One Cope with Mental Illness. (n.d.). https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/helping-a-loved-one-cope-with-mental-illness