When someone knows you are suffering, often they want to know what they can do. Well, often they ask what they can do. Sometimes they actually want to know.
I have compiled a list of things that I would consider helpful ways to support me in my mental health journey not as a way to ask for help but as a way to inspire you to think of the things you can do for the people in your life that are seemingly small and yet make a world of difference. Some of these are meaningful things that others have done for me.
In the comments, please feel free to share a way in which you showed support to another or in which you have felt supported by. If you don’t feel you show or receive support, what would be helpful to receive?
- Just be with them. Sometimes just having another human being who knows at least a little about what you are going through there by your side. Words are not always necessary.
- Invite them to try something new with you. Maybe a new restaurant or flavor of ice-cream; maybe a silky lotion; maybe its walking barefoot in the snow. . .
- Share a photo or a story of a fun memory you have with them.
- If it is someone you are pretty close with, visit them. Plan to get together or if you can just show up. If things are out of hand then do something. Maybe wash the dishes in the sink while you are talking in the kitchen. Don’t ask, just do.
- Keep engaging. Don’t give up. Don’t stop inviting them to do something because they always say no. Invite expecting a no, but remind them they are welcome.
- Provide a meal, homemade or drive thru burgers and fries, just make it one less thing on their plate.
- Random Acts of Kindness
- The easiest thing you can do for anyone but particularly focusing on mental health, is to acknowledge their existence. A simple text that just says “hello, thinking of you”. Or go old school and make a phone call. Or be radical and just show up.
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