Supporting Others

If someone in your life is struggling with their mental health, it may not be easy to know how best to support them. Perhaps you know a friend who is grieving a loss or facing a major life transition. Or maybe you know a family member who is struggling with depression. Whatever challenge someone in your life is facing, it can be helpful for them to know that you are there to support them. There are many ways to provide support, here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Ask them how you can support them. We’re only human, and we don’t need to have all the answers in order to be helpful! They may want you to just listen and empathize. Or they may prefer that you help them problem-solve and brainstorm solutions. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and it’s okay to show them that you want to understand how to help.

2. Check in with them. If you are noticing some changes, it may be helpful for you to check in with the person. You can ask a question such as, “I’ve noticed you seem stressed lately, how are you feeling?”. Asking a check in question can help open the door to letting them know that they can share their feelings and experiences with you.

3. Use encouraging and validating language. If you know someone who is struggling with their mental health, it will be helpful to be patient and understanding with them. Try using supportive statements such as, “I’m here for you”, “this must be very difficult”, “I care about you”, etc. And if you are unsure of what to say, that’s okay too! Sometimes simply being present can be enough in itself.

4. Practice self-care. When someone in your life is struggling, it can be very important to maintain your own self-care routines in order to avoid becoming burned out. You may be spending a lot of time listening to and supporting them in various ways, so it’s important that you are doing things to take care of your own emotional and physical wellbeing, too!

5. Encourage them to seek professional support. If you are concerned about someone in your life, it may be helpful for you to encourage them to seek professional help with a doctor and/or therapist. Remind them that seeking help is a sign of strength. You may even be able to help them find resources for finding a provider.

This blog post was written by Taryn O’Neil, LPC. To learn more about providing support to others, reach out to one of our therapists today.