Support Others’ Mental Health Challenges
Helping Someone Cope
When someone close to you experiences mental illness or struggles with their mental health, it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions—worry, confusion, guilt, anger, helplessness, and even anxiety. These feelings often stem from uncertainty about how to respond or support them.
You may also grieve changes in your relationship, especially if their condition affects communication or connection. Understanding what to do and say is essential for offering meaningful support without causing harm. Start by recognising your own emotions and accepting that these reactions are normal. Then, focus on empathy, listening without judgement, and encouraging professional help when needed.
Avoid assumptions or dismissive comments, as these can worsen the situation. Supporting someone with mental health challenges requires patience, compassion, and clear boundaries to protect your own wellbeing while helping them feel understood and valued.
- Timing of onset
- Duration of phase
- Hormonal changes
- Menstrual cycle patterns
- Symptom severity
- Fertility status
- Diagnostic criteria
- Age range
Lend a listening ear to someone who needs it.
If you’re worried about a close friend or loved one, there are practical steps you can take to offer support. Start by reaching out in a calm and caring manner, letting them know you’re available to listen without judgement.
Encourage open conversation by asking how they’re feeling and validating their emotions. Avoid giving unsolicited advice or minimising their concerns; instead, focus on empathy and understanding. If they seem overwhelmed or distressed, gently suggest professional help, such as speaking to a counsellor or contacting a support service. Offer to assist with finding resources or accompanying them if they feel anxious about seeking help. Keep communication consistent—check in regularly to show you care.
Remember, your role is to provide reassurance and connection, not to solve every problem. Sometimes, simply being present and attentive can make a significant difference.
- Listen and chat with them about their emotions. Validate their feelings where possible.
- Ensure to let them know that you are here to support them and that you care about them.
- Where possible, familiarise yourself with their mental health issue such as the symptoms they may be experiencing, and what treatments they may be able to access.
- It is important to withhold from any judgement in terms of how they might be behaving or reacting.
- If appropriate, suggest that they should communicate with a doctor or mental health professional, to improve their wellbeing. Offer assistance through this process.
- Respect their decision if they do not want to talk about their mental health or how they are feeling. They may also need a distraction sometimes.
- If they are currently on medication for their mental health, where appropriate encourage them to continue taking their prescribed medication.
- Offer practical help, if possible, such as helping with the daily chores, cooking meals, helping with the laundry and cleaning.
- Make sure you also look after yourself and have some ‘me time’ to improve your interactions with the person who is struggling. It may also help model the importance of self-care for them, which can significantly improve their wellbeing.
How does therapy help with a close confidante present?
Therapy can be a transformative process, offering individuals a safe space to explore emotions, behaviours, and challenges. When a close confidante is present during therapy, the dynamic changes significantly. Their presence can provide emotional support, foster trust, and enhance communication between the therapist and client. This collaborative approach often strengthens the therapeutic alliance and helps the individual feel less isolated. However, it also requires clear boundaries and mutual understanding to ensure the session remains focused on the client’s needs. When managed effectively, involving a confidante can amplify the benefits of therapy, creating a supportive environment for growth and healing.
Emotional Safety
A confidante’s presence offers reassurance, reducing anxiety and fear. Feeling supported encourages openness, allowing clients to share deeper thoughts without hesitation, fostering a sense of security during therapy.
Enhanced Trust
Including a trusted person strengthens confidence in the therapeutic process. Clients feel validated and understood, which promotes honesty and vulnerability, essential for meaningful progress and emotional breakthroughs.
Improved Communication
Confidantes can clarify misunderstandings and provide context. Their insights help therapists understand relational dynamics, enabling more accurate interventions and strategies tailored to the client’s real-life interactions and challenges.
Shared Accountability
Having a confidante creates a support system beyond therapy. They reinforce coping strategies, encourage adherence to goals, and provide motivation, ensuring therapeutic progress continues outside sessions effectively.
Perspective and Feedback
Confidantes offer alternative viewpoints, helping clients recognise patterns they might overlook. This external perspective enriches discussions, enabling clients to gain clarity and develop healthier responses to situations.
Strengthened Relationships
Joint participation fosters empathy and understanding between the client and confidante. It builds stronger bonds, reduces conflict, and promotes collaborative problem-solving, enhancing overall relational health and resilience.
What are the therapy options that Transformations Clinical Psychology can offer me?
Please contact us or follow this link if you would like to set up an assessment with a psychologist at Transformations Clinical Psychologist.
Meet Our Team
Meet our friendly and experienced team, here to help you with confidence and care.
Amy Wang
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We are here to support you
Please contact us or click on this link if you would like to see one of our experienced psychologists
FAQ
Q1. What happens in the first session? Do I need to prepare?
Your first appointment is 50–60 minutes. We’ll get to know you—what’s been hard, what you’d like to change, and what’s helped before. You’re welcome to bring notes or just come as you are; we’ll go at your pace. Please complete the online intake and consent forms beforehand. Sessions are available in person (Sydney) or via secure telehealth across Australia. We’ll finish with a clear plan and time for your questions. If you’re in immediate danger, call 000.
Q2. How do fees and Medicare/private insurance work? Do I need a GP referral?
You can book without a referral. If your GP provides a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate. We’ll check your eligibility and confirm your out-of-pocket cost before you commit. Private health (Extras) can’t be claimed with Medicare for the same session—please check your fund for coverage. If cost is a concern, let us know and we’ll talk through options.
Q3. Will my information be kept confidential?
Yes. Your sessions and records are kept private under strict legal and ethical standards. There are a few exceptions—if there’s a serious risk of harm, concerns about a child or vulnerable person, or a court order. If we ever need to share information, we’ll explain why, what will be shared, and involve you as much as possible.