{"id":20280,"date":"2023-02-20T17:11:48","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T22:11:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20280"},"modified":"2026-08-14T04:07:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T09:07:08","slug":"dos-and-donts-of-supporting-someone-with-mental-illness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/advice\/dos-and-donts-of-supporting-someone-with-mental-illness\/","title":{"rendered":"Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts of Supporting Someone with Mental Illness"},"content":{"rendered":"

When a loved one is dealing with a mental illness, it can be challenging to figure out the best way to support them. You want to be a shoulder for them to lean on, but you might be unsure what you should or shouldn\u2019t do to help their mental health journey. If you do or say the wrong thing, you may offend or hurt them, potentially causing a rift in the relationship. Ultimately, you want to address this situation logically but compassionately.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While there isn\u2019t a definitive guide for navigating this scenario, here are some do\u2019s and don\u2019ts you can follow to support someone struggling with a mental illness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Do: Respect Their Boundaries<\/h2>\n

All relationships should include respect on both ends. Healthy relationships require understanding and respecting each other\u2019s boundaries. Personal boundaries are physical, emotional and mental limits you implement to <\/span>protect yourself from harm<\/span><\/a>. Whether your person openly discusses their struggles or shares small details about their illness, always remember to respect their boundaries. Understanding these boundaries can help avoid conflict.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some <\/span>examples of personal boundaries<\/span><\/a> are:<\/span><\/p>\n