How to Help Your Loved One Who's Struggling with Mental Health

Supporting a loved one who is struggling with mental health can be challenging, but your support can be crucial to their well-being. Here's a guide on how you can help:

Educate Yourself

Learn about the specific mental health issue your loved one is dealing with. This will help you to understand what they are going through and how you can best support them.

Be Present and Listen

Sometimes, all a person needs is someone to talk to. Be an active listener, let them share their thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Express Your Concern and Love

Let them know that you care about them and are concerned for their well-being. Expressing love and support can be very comforting.

Encourage Professional Help

Encourage them to seek professional help if they haven’t already. Offer to help find resources or accompany them to appointments if they are open to it.

Avoid Giving Unsolicited Advice or Judgments

It’s important not to make judgments or give advice unless asked. Often, well-meaning advice can come across as dismissive or critical.

Be Patient

Remember that mental health recovery can be a slow process, and there may be setbacks. Be patient and continue to offer your support.

Stay Engaged

Invite them to do activities they used to enjoy, even if they don’t seem interested. Sometimes, engaging in social activities can improve one’s mood.

Encourage Healthy Habits

Encourage them to engage in healthy lifestyle choices such as eating a balanced diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep, as these can have positive effects on mental health.

Set Boundaries

While supporting your loved one is important, it’s also crucial to set healthy boundaries for yourself. Supporting someone with mental health issues can be draining, so make sure to take care of your own mental health.

Have a Crisis Plan

Know what steps to take if your loved one is in crisis. This might include having contact information for their health care provider, a local hospital, or crisis helpline.

Respect Their Wishes

Sometimes, individuals struggling with mental health issues might not want help. It’s important to respect their autonomy while making sure they know you are there for them.

Lead by Example

Sometimes the best way to help is to lead by example. Engage in self-care, maintain a balanced lifestyle, and manage stress in healthy ways.

Remember, the support of friends and family can be incredibly important for someone struggling with mental health issues. However, it’s also important to recognize that you can’t force someone to get help if they don’t want it, and you can’t take on the role of a mental health professional. Encouraging them to get the help they need and supporting them through the process can be the most important and invaluable to your loved one.

Counseling in Columbia & Lee’s Summit, Missouri

We here at Aspire Counseling love plants, and have a few around the office! And while plants can be beneficial to your mental health with helping improve your mood, it is definitely not a cure all. At Aspire Counseling we pride ourselves on being an affirming, accepting, and nonjudgmental counseling practice. We work with teens, adults, and college students experiencing trauma, disordered eating, OCD, anxiety, depression, grief and so much more. We have counseling offices in Lee’s Summit and Columbia, but we can also provide counseling to individuals throughout Missouri through online counseling.

Interested in starting your therapy journey with Aspire Counseling? You can fill out our online form, and one of our amazing Client Care Team members will reach out and get you best matched up with one of our counselors based on your needs!