How to Support a Loved One Struggling with Mental Health Challenges
Seeing someone you love struggle with mental health challenges is extremely difficult, as many of us may feel helpless or simply uneducated when it comes to providing them with the support they need to begin feeling better. The steps listed below will help guide you as you start gaining a better understanding of the struggles your loved one is facing and learn how you can lessen their burden and assist them along their path toward recovery.
Self-Care
Self-care involves prioritizing your well-being, happiness, and health, both mentally and physically. It is an essential practice for everyone, but those who are going through a difficult time or struggling with their mental health may find it more difficult than others to indulge in regular self-care. Whether they feel too exhausted to run through self-care routines or their mind is preoccupied with other matters, you may notice your loved one beginning to neglect their happiness or even their physical health. Tasks that seem simple on the surface, like showering, eating, and brushing your teeth, can become excessively burdensome and draining for those coping with mental health struggles, as they cannot find the energy required to complete them.
You should never nag, judge, or accuse your loved one of laziness when they struggle to complete acts of self-care. Forcing or degrading them into practicing self-care will only worsen their difficulties. Rather, be encouraging of even the smallest steps they take toward progressing in or establishing their routine. It may even be helpful for you to suggest doing some aspects of a healthy routine together, such as brushing your teeth, having a meal, or going for a walk. No matter what, the most important thing is to be understanding the reasons why your loved one is struggling with these tasks and remain positive and encouraging of the progress they make.
Offer Support, Not Solutions
Chances are you are not a certified medical professional specializing in mental health treatment. Therefore, you should refrain from trying to diagnose your loved one’s challenges or come up with solutions to them. When they confide in you, they are not necessarily seeking solutions to the feelings or issues they confess. They simply want someone else to pay attention, hear them, and validate them, not be their superhero who swoops in to save the day by making everything better.
Mental health recovery is a gradual process that is often very internal. Outside forces are extremely helpful for validating someone’s emotions and being there for them to ensure they never feel alone, but ultimately healing must come from within. That being said, there are plenty of ways for you to offer support to your loved ones who may be coping with mental health challenges.
A common symptom of many mental health disorders is anxiety, which can be triggered in any number of situations based on a specific person’s difficulties. First, talk to your loved one so you can better comprehend the activities or situations that spike their anxiety levels. Once you have an understanding of their feelings, offer to accompany them when you know they are faced with anxiety-inducing tasks. The presence of a familiar face often provides comfort and a safety net for those dealing with anxiety, thus allowing them to handle difficult activities with less fear and more confidence.
Be Understanding of Their Challenges
On the surface, some symptoms of your loved one’s struggles may seem rude or harsh. For example, depression, general anxiety, and dissociation often lead those suffering from them to distance themselves from others, even the people closest to them. This self-isolation is not a result of your friend or family member being upset with you in any way. Rather, they may lack the energy required to hang out or keep in touch, or they may even feel that they are not worthy of the attention from those close to them.
Remember that coping with mental health struggles daily is extremely draining, so situations like this should never be taken personally. When your loved one does reach out to you, do not shun them because of their prior lack of communication. Be encouraging of their conversation and listen to what they have to say.
Of course, you should always maintain boundaries to keep yourself from being hurt in such scenarios as well. Do not allow anyone to mistreat or bully you, but also encourage yourself to be as gracious and forgiving as possible, keeping in mind both your well-being and the struggles that your loved one may be facing.
Listen and Share
By far the best and most important way to support someone dealing with mental health challenges is to listen. Quite often, they may find it difficult to speak up, so listen attentively when they do and remain positive, yet empathetic towards their situation. Practice good listening techniques like nodding your head and avoid interrupting, talking over them, or finishing their sentences for them.
You should listen to everything they have to say in its entirety and ask questions to help them keep going or dig deeper. However, do not push them to share more than they are comfortable with, as this will discourage them from speaking up again in the future out of fear. Validating your loved one’s feelings is a key aspect of making them feel heard. If you have struggled with mental health in the past, sharing your own experiences can be an excellent way of providing validation.
Be open and honest, but refrain from stealing the spotlight from them or making the conversation about yourself. Rather, share small tidbits that help them see they are not alone in feeling the way they do.
Figuring out the best way to help your loved one in their unique situation can seem daunting or even scary at first. However, communication is key, and simply listening to them, encouraging them, and letting them know they are not alone is always an excellent place to start. If you believe your loved one needs help beyond a friendly conversation and occasional encouragement, reach out to the experts at Whole Self Therapy for more guidance.