Supporting Loved Ones with Mental Illness: A Guide for Family and Friends

There are roughly 50 million people living with mental illness in the United States. Mental illnesses are extremely complex, manifesting differently between patients and changing drastically within months. Understanding the nature of mental illness can be challenging for those experiencing it, and even more so for their loved ones. Having a friend or family member with a mental illness can be difficult, and often, it’s hard to know how to help. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, here’s a guide for supporting loved ones with mental illness.

Educate Yourself

Understanding the signs and symptoms of mental illness is crucial for identifying potential mental health concerns in your loved ones. For example, shifts in personality, mood, sleep patterns, or eating habits, along with withdrawal from once-enjoyed activities, might signal depression. Equipping yourself with this knowledge not only enables early recognition but also lays the foundation for providing meaningful support to those you care about.

Start the conversation

Starting a conversation with your loved one about their mental health can be difficult; however, coming to your family or friend from a place of love and genuine concern may be the push they need to get support. Once you feel the time is right to start the conversation, ensure it is in a space where the person feels safe and begin the dialogue by expressing your concern. If you’re having trouble thinking about what to say, utilize a sentence starter, like “I noticed you haven’t seemed like yourself lately, is there anything you wanna talk about?” 

Listen Without Judgement

Be a safe space for a loved one to discuss their mental illness. If they feel comfortable opening up to you, avoid stigmatizing language, unsolicited advice, or invasive questions. Let them lead the conversation, respect their boundaries, affirm their efforts, and most importantly, express your support and encouragement.

Ask how you can help

Managing a mental illness can be both emotionally demanding and mentally taxing. A helpful way to lighten your loved one’s mental burden is by offering practical assistance, like offering to run errands or make them a meal. Even a small gesture like this helps your loved one know that they have support, which will help empower them to focus on their healing and self-care. 

Express Your Support

As a close friend or family member of someone managing a mental illness, it’s necessary to support their treatment in an encouraging and considerate way. While it’s important to avoid being overbearing, showing genuine interest in your loved one’s treatment plan can make a significant difference in their attitude toward treatment. This approach can help reduce feelings of isolation and also provide the motivation needed to continue seeking help.

Protect Your Peace

When supporting someone with a mental illness, it’s easy to forget about your own well-being. But, in order to be a resource for your loved one, it is crucial that you prioritize your own well-being. Protecting your peace involves various strategies, including setting healthy boundaries with your loved one, seeking support from others, and practicing self-care. By nurturing your own mental health, you can better serve as a source of strength and support for your loved one.