Supporting Those With Mental Health Struggles
“I feel so anxious today– it’s overwhelming.” “Can I rant to you real quick?” These phrases, among many others, are words that many people are familiar with. Mental health struggles among teenagers are widespread, and it’s a collective struggle. Teens tend to depend on each other when they struggle, but when does it become too much? There’s a fine line between being someone’s friend and being someone’s therapist, and sometimes, that line blurs. However, this is not to say that there’s a right or wrong way to support one’s friends through their mental health struggles. Every situation is unique. Yet, there are some common threads throughout these situations and similar ways that we can support each other without giving up our own well-being.
Having a friend or family member who’s going through difficult times mentally takes a toll on not only them but their loved ones around them. One of the worst feelings that come with a person close to you struggling with mental health issues is an awful sense of helplessness. It feels as though you are grasping for straws– what can I do to help? How can I be there? How can I fix it? One of the most difficult things to do is to step back. It feels infinitely painful, but sometimes, one must come to terms with the realization that it’s not always “fixable,” especially by a loved one. Sometimes, the most you can do for a loved one who is stuck in a downward mental spiral is to be there for them in the ways that you can– whether it’s a kind word, giving them the personal space they need, or just a hug.
It’s also important to understand that although these people are suffering, they don’t want you to drop everything in your life to be their “therapist.” They don’t demand that one breaks their back trying to support them and that one forgoes their own sense of wellbeing to try and “fix” their situation. If anything, it’ll bring them a deeper sense of guilt if they see their suffering extending to the people around them. Sometimes, it feels overwhelming to constantly try and be “there” for a mentally ill loved one. It’s not a sin or wrongdoing to step back and say “I can’t.” Just as it is important for you to support your loved ones, it’s also important for you to keep your own sanity and mental health intact. Don’t lose yourself in your efforts to help them.
Even after all the help and support one provides, sometimes, it is necessary to learn to recognize when it’s time to step back. At certain times, there’s nothing more you can do as a loved one, and professionals may need to get involved. It may not be easy to bring issues to a professional. Take care with who you bring it up to, to make sure it doesn’t endanger the safety of your loved one. In the end, we’re all trying to support each other, and there are different ways you can help the people around you, without losing yourself in the process.
