Mental Health Awareness Week: An Important Message For The Ones You Love

Illustration: Liberty Antonia Sadler for Metro.co.uk
Good mental health is more than the absence of a mental health problem. Mental health issues affect around 2/3 of the population, with many suffering in silence.

Loving somebody with a mental illness can often be difficult. You should keep in mind that your partner is facing something that you might not have experienced before, and, as a matter of fact, their coping mechanisms may be completely different to what you would do.

As it’s Mental Health Awareness Week, here are some ways which could help you regarding how to treat your partner who’s suffering from a mental illness.

Be understanding

It’s easier said than done – and, apparently, you might not be able to understand what your partner is dealing with totally. However, you shouldn't get angry with them when they are upset.

Also, don’t belittle them if they are feeling nervous about something. Don’t call them lazy, when the fatigue from depression is getting too much. Try to think more before you speak.

Attend counseling sessions with your partner

While sessions are usually one-on-one, your loved one can request you come along. This could be very helpful since it means there’s someone else in the room to mediate your conversation.

Don't pressure them

Sometimes your partner won't feel ok to do the things you want to do. They might desire to stay at home for days when you want to get out. Try to show some patience by staying at home with them, show them that they matter to you.

Ask for help

You cannot solve all issues by yourself. It's significant that you offer your partner some privacy. If they feel like talking to you, then be there to listen. Nevertheless, you need to remember that sometimes medical treatment cannot be avoided. So don't be afraid to ask for help when needed.


The following video by PewDiePie can be really helpful and motivating:

Additionally, you can use this app if you want to find someone who can listen and understand.


The Mental Health Foundation has hosted Mental Health Awareness Week in the second week of May since 2000. Some years ago, these weeks used to focus on how mindfulness, anxiety, sleep deprivation, and relationships can affect our mental well-being. In 2017 the theme will be ‘from surviving to thriving.'

A lot of people see daily life as a battle. Our family, our job, our bills and our social life can sometimes be a burden to us.

The number of people who are encountering high levels of mental illnesses is constantly increasing. That's why this Mental Health Awareness Week's goal is to set out the real scale and cost of fighting to survive.

To register for updates and for more information visit: MentalHealth.org.uk