How to Support a Friend With Mental Illness
Supporting a friend with depression or any other mental illness can be challenging, but it’s incredibly important. In this video, we explore compassionate and practical ways to be there for someone who’s struggling with their mental health. We’ll discuss how to offer emotional support, communicate effectively, and create a safe space for them to express their feelings.
In this video, we’ll explore some ways you can support a friend who’s dealing with mental health challenges. We’ll talk about understanding what they might be going through and share some friendly tips on how to offer help in a caring and respectful way. Hopefully, you’ll find some ideas on how to make a positive impact on their life and strengthen your friendship through empathy and support.
#mentalhealth #depression #mentalillness #mentalhealthawareness
Disclaimer: This video is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content provided should not be used to diagnose or treat any mental health conditions. For professional guidance, please consult a qualified mental health professional.
Researcher/ Writer: Halak Pandya
Editor: Caitlin McColl
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
Voice Over: Amanda Silvera (www.youtube.com/amandasilvera)
Animator: Ria Javellana
YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong
Disclaimer: This video is for informative purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Please do seek qualified mental health professional to support your own journey.
References
Zendjidjian X;Richieri R;Adida M;Limousin S;Gaubert N;Parola N;Lançon C;Boyer L; (n.d.). Quality of life among caregivers of individuals with affective disorders. Journal of affective disorders. Retrieved from pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22100129/
How to support someone with a mental health problem. Mental Health Foundation. (2022, January 31). Retrieved from www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/supporting-someone-mental-health-problem
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2018, November 28). Depression: Supporting a family member or friend. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression/art-20045943
Raypole, C. (2021, November 3). Helping someone with depression. Healthline. Retrieved from www.healthline.com/health/how-to-help-a-depressed-friend#how-to-help
Helping someone with depression. Mind. (n.d.). Retrieved June 2, 2022, from www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/depression/for-friends-and-family/
Goleman, D. (2020). Emotional intelligence. Bantam Books.
Expressive writing in psychological science – sage journals. (n.d.). Retrieved from journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1745691617707315
Cascio, C. N., O’Donnell, M. B., Tinney, F. J., Lieberman, M. D., Taylor, S. E., Strecher, V. J., & Falk, E. B. (2016, April). Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward and is reinforced by future orientation. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience. Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4814782/
37 Comments
Let's not ignore the noticable positive effects of a pet. If the depressed person has a pet, the animal is probably already helping, if you have a pet, maybe bringing it over would be helpful.
Most of my neighbors noticably brighten when they see my kitten walking around
Thanks for this video. ^^
I have a close family member who talked about suicidal thoughts and did harm themself as a teenager. I was the same age and pretty overwhelmed with the whole situation and the rest of the family was too. The first years weren´t pretty and we did a lot wrong. My family was already in a bad situation before this happened (my parents hated eachother but stayed together…) The deppressed family member was put in different clinics over years and at least the suicidal danger was gone. But depression, bipolar disorder and trauma were also issues. It was hard for me to deal with my family issues, trying to be helpful for my ill family member AND holding my own life together (I finished school around that time and started to work)…
It´s been around 12 years now and since 2 years we are all in a better place. My family member is still struggeling but they have learned a lot about how to handle their illnesses and how to open up to people. It´s been tough for me and my mother, cause we are literally the only safety net to them (who aren´t professionals) so we feel a lot of pressure. Me especially cause I feel like I have to be the hype man and brain of the family all the time or everything goes back to the bad times…. It´s hard for me to put up boundaries, cause I don´t want my ill family member to shut down again, cause they feel rejected…. 🙁
But what I want to say is that even if the situation is bad right now, it can get better with the help of professionals and some own work. It can take a very long time though (10 years for us) so keep going and don´t loose hope. I wish everyone the best who is in a situation like that.
I just want someone to care
And if u alone ? These are all ways only working when a other person is there …
Sometimes, it's tiring to be the "therapist" friend. Sometimes, i feel like I AM catching their depression! I feel like I've been patient too much. It's just sooooo draining to a point. How about a video about the ways about how the therapist friend?
This is verry acurate❤
I would definitely support my friends if they had a mental illness
The problem is that I’m mentally I’ll :/
.
Im always trying to help my friend then they have to go through something but they rarily help me. I have a friend who i can rely on, he is not my best friend but a very good one. And today i found out my best friend, him and another very good friend hung out but i wasnt invited. It kinda broke my heart because i fell like they want to get rid of me
I have a friend whose grandfather died 6 month ago. I was there for him and always talked to him about it but trying not to pressure him. 2 month ago my grandfather died. I was really close to him, he taught me a lot if things and helped me be a good person. I was hopping for at least one of my friend to help me through it and talk with me. But noone did. I was scared to ask for help and didnt get any. I know i was in the wrong for not asking for help but also hoped that they'll help me
Not fully depressed but she's going thru a lot. I'll try the advices. Thank you so much 🔓♥️
Thank you so much for making this video!
I really needed to hear the last point. This video was helpful for but turns out I knew all these rules already but the only thing bothering me was how sometimes I feel drained dealing with their problems for them especially when I'm going through a hard time. The guilt for that is real. But thankyou for adding that point
I have a bsf who doesn't know how to support me but he was a comforter for me (we're online friends and 2 years younger/older)
Edit: I'm both lol
could I ask a question ?
I' m not suicidal, but there is a lot I could do to extend my life. In my late 50's and a drinker and smoker. But I don't really care.
I want to be patient i really do, but its taking TO DAMN LONG
Thank you for this video. I think this knowledge can be useful for everybody.
I need some help too, can someone give some suggestions? I'm doing Msc but the stress is insane, Have to spend 12-14 hours daily on university for classes and study. Can't handle it anymore.. i wanna quit..
i wish i had friends who are actually caring
Mentally ill people don't have friends
"I want to help my friend with mental illness" -said literally nobody ever
How do I explain this as a child who wants to die
Thank you 👍🏻
My friend I cut off this week. After they expected me to do the impossible and read their mind.
Constantly pushes me into a ptsd response- ignores my clear communication I can't participate in the conversation while I'm having a ptsd response- resents me for my reactions during a ptsd response, after they've intentionally caused the situation-
– tells me I'm manipulating by explaining how their behaviour is hurting me.
I think i have a depressed friend but its really hard to tell because we dont really have much of a friendship and she keeps swiching from happy to sad and deppressed and it happends randomly. I dont know i just wonder if someone can help me with this because im not that good at it
I am the one with that mental problem. But as always, even my family wants to support me and say that it can't go on like this forever. As if I'm doing it on purpose… I'm not doing it on purpose.
im the friend in the group thats basically the therapist. i listen and show support to so many people.
yet i shove people away when im the one in trouble, i dont want anyone to judge me, or i dont want to put MY problems on their plate
I learn this so I can treat myself. That's what REVERSE CURSE TECHNIQUE
Am I the only one here preparing in case a friend becomes depressed
Do not try and support me. No longer will my head be filled with lies. For others, that's a great idea. Always help them. Not me. Ever.
The one I supported is meeee😅
Yes. I have helped a good friend! I just listened and let him help himself, really. I was patient and listened to my intuition. We talked on a regular basis which seemed to help him. I got a psychologist for myself–and it did a world of good for me as well!!
For my whole life I really wished that I'm the one that is helping.
In the end, I'm the one that needs help.
But I'm too scared.
Don't worry, I'm fine. really. 🙂
in the start of this year me and my bestie both got diagnosed with depression and anxiety 🙃
Is it normal for it to come back? Does it ever go away or does it just get quiet??
Well i have a friend(s) group and there i am the "therapist friend" well none of them have depression or any mental illness but i still help overcome sadness whenever they are feeling down or sad.
I am mostly emotionally available for calming my friends and listen to there problem and reason for there sense of feeling sadness or depression but sometimes i am not emotionally available becuz i sometimes feel down….but thankfully my friends respect my privacy and give me time to calm down and be normal again.
Who wants a hug? (I give free hugs!) 😀