How to Love on Someone With Mental Health Issues

When it comes to loving someone with mental health issues, it is the same as loving someone with a chronic physical illness. What does one do when their loved one is having a hard time?

The biggest thing is to ask your loved one what they need. By doing this you send the signal that you care and are willing to be there for them. They may respond that they don’t need anything, or they could ask for help with things like cooking, cleaning, laundry, or just an ear to listen. Often someone with a mental health issue will withdraw from friends and family. Sometimes you may need to offer support instead of asking what the person needs - at the time they might be really struggling and they don’t know what they need until it is suggested.

Mental health struggles can be especially hard when your friend or loved one was vibrant and outgoing. Educating yourself about your loved one’s mental health will help you to understand some of the signs that they are not doing well. Know that you have not done anything wrong, unless they tell you have. Often it is hard for someone who is struggling to reach out and ask for help. Checking in on them periodically is a great way to show you love them. This may be a phone call, a text, or just asking them if they are having a hard time.

Being a safe person is also a great way to show your support for someone struggling with mental health. What does being a safe person entail? It is when you can hear and acknowledge all the parts of someone’s struggle and recovery process with unconditional love. This may be in small ways like check in text messages or in large ways such as visiting them if they must go to the hospital.

Asking questions is not off the table to help someone you love. Do not, however, force the person to talk about their struggles. Giving someone the space and permission to share their story, triggers, and symptoms without judgement can be very helpful. Allowing that person to not answer things they are uncomfortable with is essential to that conversation. This allows the person to not feel alone.

All of these things can help both you and your loved one on their road to recovery.

(Written by our wonderful therapist Laura Wood)

(Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash)