5 ways to support a mentally ill friend

Kirsty Smith friendship, mental health conditions, mental health support

Here are some simple ways to support and be there for a friend or family member who is struggling with their mental health

It’s never easy to see a loved one suffer, and it can be especially hard to cope with someone struggling with a mental illness. Mental illness can also be more difficult to see than some visible disabilities, and can be harder to understand. If you want to support a friend who is struggling with mental illness, here are five ways you can help:

Educate yourself

If someone you love has been diagnosed with a mental illness, you can first help by educating yourself on what they’re dealing with. This will help you to understand what is going on for them. With this information, you can more confidently offer your support. The NHS website is a reliable place to start learning about the wide range of mental illnesses.

Professionals know best

One thing you could do is gently encourage your friend to talk to a professional about the problems they’re experiencing. Self-care can only get you so far, and your friend or family member may need some extra help. If your friend is nervous, you could offer to go with them to the appointment.

Care for them

With many mental illnesses, it can be easy to let go of basic care. Make sure your friend is eating well, drinking water, washing themselves, and getting outside. Having these factors taken care of creates a stronger foundation for improving mental well-being. You can find out more in our article on self care.

Communicate, communicate, communicate

Always try to keep an open and honest line of communication between the two of you. Make it clear you want to understand what they are going through, even if you can’t fully understand what it’s like to be in their shoes. Sometimes people can struggle with asking for help, so be there to ask if there’s anything they need, or anything you can help with. And remember, they might want to talk about it, or they might just want a distraction.

Most importantly, be a good friend

Remember, the illness does not define the person. Aim to view your friend as you always have. Sometimes a mental illness can affect someone’s personality. They may not find enjoyment in life, be as outgoing or up for things as they usually would be. Understand this is the illness, and your friend is still there. Reassure them that you still want to be there for them.

Don’t forget to look after yourself!

Finally, it’s really important to also look after yourself while you’re supporting a friend or family member. It can be easy to forget about our own needs when we’re worrying about someone else, but it’s so important for you to take time for yourself as well. Make sure you have someone to talk to and a space to practice your own self-care. After all, if you’re not feeling tip-top, you won’t be able to provide the support you want to for your friend.