How to Support a Loved One Living with Mental Illness

'When I becomes we, illness becomes wellness'. This quote is a clear reflection of the importance of support in ensuring wellness (whether physical or mental). Thus, a good support system has the ability to ensure that individuals living with mental illness take necessary steps towards mental wellness. That being said, for each of you who has been burning the midnight oil to support a loved one living with mental illness, we see and appreciate you! Nevertheless, there may be some of you who are wondering how you can provide support to a loved one living with mental health issues. Here are four things you can do today:

First things first; learn more about the mental illness/mental health problem your loved one is facing. Whether it is bipolar disorder or anxiety, being able to understand the mental illness from your own perspective allows you to have more empathy for your loved one. For many individuals the idea of mental illness is still new. You may wonder whether your loved one is exaggerating. Alternatively, you may wonder why they can't just 'snap out of it'. This why reading up on mental illnesses is important. It provides you with the space to broaden your perspective about the signs and symptoms that your loved one exhibits. This enables you to adequately support your loved one from a place of empathy and understanding. It also shows your loved one that you are making effort to understand why their mind works the way it does.

Secondly, be sure to take care of yourself. The journey to mental wellness can be full of ups and downs (it is not a linear path). If you are supporting someone with a mental illness, make sure to carve time out for yourself. Do not forget to extend the same love and care towards yourself. You also need rest. You also need to feel supported and seen. Be sure to keep in touch with your friends and family. Take time to engage in activities that you love. Additionally, you can seek out a support group with individuals going through the same situation. At the end of the day, it is important to remember that 'you cannot pour from an empty cup'. Be sure to pour back into yourself even as you support your loved one/s.

Thirdly, encourage your loved one to seek professional help. If it was a case where your loved one experienced a physical injury, would you hesitate to encourage them to seek medical assistance? Why then do you hesitate to encourage them to seek psychological assistance? As you read this, there are several psychologists and psychiatrists in Kenya who would be ready and willing to have a conversation with you or your loved one about mental health challenges. You do not have to do this alone. Reach out to a professional today (you can reach out to me or someone else you have in mind) and see how they can cater their services to meet your needs.

Last but not least, provide emotional support. For many people living with mental illness, there is that internal belief that no one will understand or care about what they are going through. As someone who seeks to provide support, one of the main things you can do is simply be there for them. They may not open up at first but your consistency in showing up for them will ultimately enable them to share their thoughts and feelings. There's a saying that goes 'a problem shared is a problem half solved'. Although you may not have the answers and you may not know what to say, there is power in listening to their experience and validating it. What they are going through may not seem big to you but it is to them and that in itself makes it real and profound.

In summary, your role as a support system for someone living with mental illness is not to change them or fix them. Your role is to support them and allow them to feel heard and seen. This can be difficult to do if you do not understand the mental health issues your loved one may be facing. So feel free to read books about it and have conversations with mental health professionals about the same. Additionally, make sure to take care of yourself in this journey. Your role in your loved one's life is important. They may not always say it but they feel your love and support. Lastly, remember that there is power in listening. You do not need to have all the answers. You being there for them makes the world of difference.

That's it for today. Feel free to like and share this with anyone you know who may be supporting a loved one experiencing mental health issues. If you are on this journey and would like additional support, reach out to me today to book a consultation session. Be sure to check out my other posts on issues like imposter syndrome. Have a lovely week and remember to stay intentional!