Even as we go through our mental struggles, we should remember to at times look up and around the people we interact with. In some seasons, you may be mentally better than someone you know. This is an opportunity to show up for them. Here are four ways you can do just that.
We’re just going to jump right into this one. :)
1. Be present
At times, your act of being present for someone, speaks more than anything you could say. When a loved one is going through a lot, just be there, just answer the phone or text, be a shoulder to cry on, and be an ear to listen to. It may be the greatest gift you could ever give them.
2. Give them time
When helping someone through their mental struggles, patience is one of the things that are extremely vital to help them get better. Mental struggles are so complex and can be quite difficult to understand and navigate through, even for the person going through it, so it is important to not rush the process, but allow the person and yourself to go through the motions. At some point, things will get better.
3. Don’t punish them for what they did while they were in the thick of things(extend grace)
When someone is struggling mentally, they may do or even say things that they will likely regret, in their quest to cope and navigate through that space. One thing you’ll need to understand is that mental health struggles such as anxiety or depression manifest themselves with changes in brain activity. Earlier this year, I read a book called ‘The Body Keeps The Score’ by Bessel Van Der Kolk. In the book, he in-depthly explained what happens in the brain when someone is experiencing anxiety or depression, or when experiencing something that triggers a trauma they have endured.
It is not just surface level, or someone ‘acting out’ it is much deeper than that. Therefore, a lot of grace will be needed to be extended to the person suffering. Maybe, later on, when things are better, you could have that conversation about how their actions hurt or impacted you.
Remember also, that the person struggling may feel guilty for acting that way, so you punishing them in the moment will make them feel worse.
So, remember to extend grace, grace, grace.
4. If someone opens up to you, don't stonewall, communicate
If a friend or loved one happens to confide in you regarding a certain struggle they’re going through, please, do not stonewall, ghost, or ignore them. That rejection hurts like hell, trust me.
In the instance that you are not able to be there for them at that moment, communicate. They may be disappointed, but at least they will know what kind of headspace you are in.
That’s all I’ve got for today’s post!
I hope you have enjoyed it and I hope this will prompt you to take the time to reach out and check in with your loved ones. They may need you more than you think.
I’ll see you on the next one!
Xoxo,
BK. 💚
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