Supporting Someone with Mental Illness

By Sarah Gubbels, LICSW Behavioral Health at CHI LakeWood Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Those of us who are the most “aware” of mental health are those that have either experienced mental health conditions ourselves or have loved someone who has.

The journey of supporting someone through a mental health crisis can be long, painful, exhausting, and expensive. The stress of finding the balance between support without enabling, and confrontation without shaming, can feel utterly helpless. 

For those of you feeling lost in this journey, here are some helpful tips you can use to support your loved one.

1. Listen without judgment. Acknowledge their pain with empathy saying things like “I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way” or “That sounds really hard.”
2. Encourage professional help. Support them in finding a therapist or psychiatrist, or attend appointments with them.
3. Offer practical assistance. Offer help with tasks that might feel overwhelming to them, such as cooking, cleaning or childcare. 
4. Check in regularly. Call or text once or twice a week.
5. Continue to include them. Keep inviting them to social events, even if they decline. 
6. Practice patience. Understand that treating mental illness can take time.
7. Take care of yourself. Continue to engage in your own routines and seek support for yourself if needed. 

To the family members going through this; your feelings are valid. We hear your fears, your exhaustion, and your sadness. Your effort matters, even when it doesn’t feel like it’s “fixing” the problem.Your compassion and consistency in showing up for your loved ones is essential to the foundation of mental health treatment.

For those that need immediate help:

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988.

National Help Line (SAMHSA) 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Treatment Locator: FindTreatment.gov.