How to Support a Loved One Experiencing Mental Illness

Mental illness not only affects the person experiencing it but the people in their lives too. Social support is crucial to an individual experiencing mental illness. Here are some ways to support a loved one who experiences mental illness.

•  Learn about the mental disorder(s). Learning about the mental illness your loved one experiences can help you understand what their disorder is and how it affects them.
• Engage in dialogue about your loved one’s experiences. Focus on listening and supporting them.
• Ask what you can do to be helpful to them and how best to support them but be honest with yourself about the amount you can take on and only do what is doable.
• Encourage a loved one to seek help and take advantage of local resources, such as support groups or psychotherapy.
• Offer emotional support, understanding, patience, and encouragement; it will make more of an impact than you think.
• Praise your loved one’s strengths and progress.
• Help build a support system for your loved one.
• Avoid trying to be the ‘fixer’ or ‘saver.’ You need to let your loved one control their own recovery process.
• Recognize that the recovery process takes time.
• Seek counseling for yourself to support your mental health and learn/practice self-care behaviors.

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