How to Support a Partner with Mental Health Challenges

This blog provides information on how to support a partner with mental health challenges. You’ve come across this article because your partner has been struggling lately. There could be a wide range of issues that they’re experiencing. Whether it be stress management, trauma resurfacing, depression, and more. 

 

You want to be there for your partner, to stay by their side during difficult times. It’s important to you that you know how to best support them when they are struggling. Being someone in their life that they trust, and can turn lean on, means everything to you. Their well-being is a top priority for you, and you want to ensure you can support that. 

 

Therefore, how can you support them? First, acknowledge that it’s not your job to fix things. Your partner will need to independently take steps towards their own inner-healing. Next, provide them with a safe and non-judgmental space for them to open up. Also, find ways to express your love and support regularly. Lastly, hold personal boundaries.

 

Disclaimer: This blog is not appropriate guidance for a partner exhibiting abusive behavior as a result of mental health challenges. If you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, please seek out help and connect with these resources: Coalition for Family Harmony (805) 983-6014, Interface Children & Family Services (805) 485-6114, or loveisrespect.org (1) 866-331-9474. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788. 

 

Individual therapy in Simi Valley, CA is highly recommended for those struggling with inner-battles. By connecting with professional support, you can create and experience real change in your lives. Make sure to read our blog on How to Be Vulnerable. 

 

How to Support a Partner with Mental Health Challenges: Acknowledge that it’s not your job to fix things

Your partner’s journey is not your journey. When we see a loved one struggling, we often want to do whatever we can to fix an issue. You likely have the best intentions in mind for your partner. An example is you trying to set up a therapy session for them, as you know it could be beneficial.   

 

However, it’s up to your partner to take the necessary steps towards inner-healing and growth. They need to, from within themselves, want to begin the process of working on and further understanding themselves. Talking and opening up about difficult topics is likely uncomfortable, scary, or stressful. 

 

While you’re there to be a supportive partner, it’s important to remember that your partner needs to make their own efforts as well. You cannot solely help them process trauma or treat depression, and they’ll need to be doing their own inner-work. Seeing the worth in yourself can be hard, and you can play a role in empowering them to believe in themselves.

 

Individual therapy in Simi Valley is offered in-person with our therapists. Make sure to read our blog on 5 Signs You’re Growing as a Person.

 

How to Support a Partner with Mental Health Challenges: Provide them with a safe and non-judgmental space to open up

Your partner may be struggling with vulnerability, and is hesitant to open up. There could be a fear of judgment holding them back from telling you what’s going on for them. It’s important that you are able to actively listen to understand them on a deeper level. With that, you two can work to reciprocate that for each other. 

 

We all have been shaped and transformed by our own individual experiences. This causes us to have unique perspectives, and possible differing opinions, on situations. Whether we’re influenced by our upbringing, culture, our social environments, and more, it can impact us. This is not necessarily good or bad, but is good to be aware of. 

 

By keeping an open mind that we have been through different experiences, we can learn to understand them better. At times, it may take educating ourselves on what different experiences are like, and work to build empathy around that. 

 

In providing your partner with a safe and non-judgmental space, it creates opportunities for greater vulnerability. Your partner may become more comfortable opening up about these difficult topics or feelings. From there, your foundation together can become stronger.

 

Couples therapy in Simi Valley, CA supports you and your partner to work towards greater understanding of one another. Make sure to read our blog on What Can Couples Counseling Help With?

 

How to Support a Partner with Mental Health Challenges: Find ways to express your love and support regularly

Struggling with mental health is draining. Some days, things feel manageable and alright. On others, it feels like there is no hope or point to grow or change. It just feels all too overwhelming. If your partner is experiencing shifts between these states of mind, it’s true that it can affect them in several ways. It can affect their relationships, how they view themselves, their ability to complete tasks, and more. 

 

Your partner is important to you, and you want them to always remember that. One activity that you two can do together is finding out your love languages. What displays of love make you feel seen and heard? How do you show your love towards your partner, without directly saying it?

 

Examples include acts of service, words of affirmation, and more. When we can understand what helps our partner feel safe and supported, we can lean into doing that more often. For example, your partner may appreciate reassurance of your feelings for them. They may have betrayal trauma from a past relationship, and struggle to feel confident in themselves.

 

& the same in reverse for you. Make this a conversation where you both can sit down and understand this better in one another. There are a variety of card games with prompts you can engage in, online question examples, and or what you have in mind to ask. This can help bring you two closer together!

 

Feeling like you’ve lost the connection or intimacy in your relationship? Consider calling us for couples counseling in Simi Valley, CA. Make sure to read our blog on 3 Things to Know Before Starting Couples Therapy.

 

How to Support a Partner with Mental Health Challenges: Hold personal boundaries

With all of this, it’s important to hold personal boundaries with your partner. This can be difficult, and may even cause you to feel guilty. However, ensuring that you are taking care of your own wellbeing in the process can avoid feelings of burn-out or resentment. You want to find a fine balance between being there, and encouraging them to be independent in seeking out support. 

 

Ensure that you are taking time to tend to your own mental health needs as well. This can look like having time to yourself, to socialize with others, and more. Perhaps you’ll want to seek out your own therapy, to have your own space to process things coming up for you. Some examples for creating boundaries include:

 

• Understanding your current needs and how to achieve them.
• Communicating them clearly to others.
• Maintaining and upholding them.
• Practicing positive self-talk.

 

Here are two blogs we’ve written on boundaries. One is general, How to Set Boundaries, and the other is about the Importance of Boundaries in a Relationship. When we’re able to show up for ourselves, we can better show up for our people. Make it a point to have that balance, to where you both feel heard, understood, and comfortable. 

 

Starting individual therapy is a great way to open the door to opportunities for growth. Whether you’re wanting to learn how to best support a loved one, or they’re wanting to begin the therapeutic process, we’re here to help. We’re in-person in Simi Valley, or virtual in California.

 

In-person therapy in Simi Valley is ideal for those seeking a separate, safe space from their home. Check out our blog on Online Therapy or In Office Therapy to understand what format is best for you. Another great blog to read is ours on if you need Therapy or Medication to address your issues.

 

By seeking out support, you can begin your journey to feeling relief. You don’t have to go through finding the right level of support alone, either. By clicking here, you’ll read our blog on Information About Simi Valley Therapists.

 

Consider calling our therapy group at (805) 774-1506 for a free consultation on how you or a loved one can get started today!

 

Seek out a validating, safe environment with us today. We will help you get to where you want to be. Our therapists provide trauma therapy, teen therapy, individual adult therapy, LGBTQIA+ therapy, anxiety therapy, depression therapy, family therapy, and more in-office in Simi Valley, CA.