If You Love Someone with Mental Health Struggles, Read This with an Open Mind

Let me take you on a journey.

Imagine standing beside someone you love deeply—your partner, your child, a close friend—and knowing that, despite your best efforts, you can’t fully grasp the weight of their struggles. It’s not that you don’t want to understand, but sometimes, mental health challenges are invisible. They’re like whispers in the wind—heard but unseen, felt but often misunderstood.

I’m writing this today because I’ve been there and seen countless families and loved ones trying to be supportive but feeling helpless. If you love someone who’s struggling with their mental health, I want you to read this with an open mind and heart.

The Invisible Battles

When someone you care about has anxiety, depression, ADHD, or any other mental health condition, it’s not always apparent. Some days, they may seem perfectly fine—laughing at a joke, going through daily life. But other days, they might retreat into themselves, weighed down by feelings that aren’t always easy to explain.

Mental health doesn’t operate on a predictable schedule. There are highs, lows, and days where even the most minor task feels monumental. Your loved one may be silently fighting these battles while trying to spare you from the storm they’re enduring.

Patience Over Perfection

One of the most powerful things you can offer is patience—not perfection. You’re not expected to have all the answers, and that’s okay. Your loved one needs your steady presence and willingness to walk beside them on the good and challenging days. They need to know that you won’t pull away when they stumble. In fact, that’s when they need you most.

Maybe you’ve tried to help by giving advice, sharing quotes, or encouraging them to “think positively.” While these gestures are often well-intentioned, they might not always land how you hope. Instead of fixing, try listening. Instead of solving, try simply being there.

Creating a Safe Space

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the most significant difference. I remember working with a young boy whose anxiety was so overwhelming that even speaking about it made him shut down. His mother, unsure of how to help, started a ritual where they would sit together quietly every evening, with no pressure to talk, just be. Eventually, that silence became the safest space he knew. He started to open up, bit by bit, not because he was pushed but because he felt understood.

This is your role: to create a space where your loved one feels seen, heard, and not judged. It could be a quiet moment on the couch, a walk around the block, or simply holding their hand without needing words. They need to know that they’re not alone in this fight, that you’re standing beside them, no matter what.

Support Is a Lifeline

It doesn’t need to be grand gestures or deep conversations all the time. Sometimes, it’s just showing up. It’s checking in with them when they retreat, offering to sit when they seem distant, or gently encouraging them to seek professional help.

You can be their lifeline, the anchor that keeps them grounded when the waves of their emotions feel too firm. But remember, supporting someone else doesn’t mean sacrificing your mental well-being. You matter, too. It’s okay to seek help, talk to a therapist, or seek guidance on supporting your loved one.

Small, thoughtful tools can make a big difference in mental wellness. For example, using an essential oil diffuser with calming lavender can help create a peaceful atmosphere. A weighted blanket may provide the comfort your loved one needs during anxious moments. Even a simple activity, like using an adult colouring book, can relieve stress and promote mindfulness.

Let’s Break the Silence

Mental health struggles don’t need to be faced in isolation. In fact, they shouldn’t be. Whether it’s your child, partner, or a close friend, know that your love and support could be the light they need on their darkest days.

As I said before, read this with an open mind and heart. When someone close to you is facing mental health challenges, they don’t need perfection from you—they need your patience, understanding, and the reassurance that you’re there for them, no matter what.

Let’s break the silence together.

You are not alone, and neither are they.

For personalized support and guidance, click below or write to me at namita@educateable.in.

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If you’re supporting someone with mental health challenges or if you’re going through your own struggles, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional. We’re here to help.

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