Supporting Loved-Ones Through Mental Illness

Ask What You Can Do

You're itching to do something practical to make your loved-one feel better. Indeed, you may think that your loved-one has lost control of their life and be tempted to step in and do whatever you think is necessary. Rather than intervene in the way you see fit, your loved-one will feel better and benefit more if you ask exactly how you can help. 

Being helpful and supportive is wonderful. On the other side of the coin, do be careful and try to avoid enabling behaviors that come with the mental health situation. This could come in many forms, depending on what diagnosis you are dealing with. You'll know about it when you get there though, and it's up to you to decide what you do and do not want to do.

Join A Support Group For You

Living with a mental health problem can be stressful and terrifying, but playing a supporting role can have a serious impact on a person's mental health all in itself. You'll benefit if you make sure to take care of yourself, both in general and specifically in relation to your supporting role.

Joining a real-life or online support group for friends, relatives and partners of people dealing with the same diagnosis will help you stay sane and learn more. You'll be able to vent about your own experiences and get advice. You'll also be able to learn how others are coping, and to find recognition. 

Don't forget to take time out from dealing with the person you are supporting either — no matter how close to you they are. Do things that help you relax and enjoy life. Besides being beneficial for you, making sure you feel good about yourself will also enable you to be a better support person for your loved-one.

When Should You Have Your Loved One Committed?

There are times during which you can simply not stand by and be a support person — times during which a mental health facility can provide the safest environment for your loved-one. Being involved in organizing an involuntary commitment for your loved-one may well damage your relationship with them forever, but it can also save their life in extreme cases. 

See Also: What To Do If You Think A Loved-One Is Paranoid

Laws on who can initiate involuntary commitment and how long it can go on for vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In general, the person needs to be an immediate threat to themselves or others in order to "qualify" for it. Do you believe the situation is extreme enough to warrant involuntary commitment? You can:

• Contact the local police, hospital, or mental health facility to gather information about the circumstances in which involuntary commitment is possible. 
• Talk to the person's immediate relatives (if you're not one of them) to inform them of the situation.