Knowing how to navigate romantic relationships can be difficult, and there are added layers of complexity for some; it can be challenging to know how to effectively support a partner with mental health struggles (such as anxiety and depression) particularly if you are not familiar with this situation.
Helpful Tips:
Listen
Often, just hearing someone out can help them feel more understood and less alone, even if this is sometimes met with silence. It is also key to avoid being judgemental.
Stay calm
Negative emotions can trigger similarly negative emotions in others. Although hearing about mental health struggles can be upsetting, striving to stay calm will help your partner feel calmer too, and will help them feel more comfortable about confiding in you without worrying about upsetting you too much.
Be patient
Often, anxiety and depression can make it difficult to open up straight away, as it can make us feel overwhelmed, or convince us that no one wants to listen. It is therefore important to give your partner enough time and reassure them that you are there for them and will listen when they are ready to talk.
Boundaries
It is important to set boundaries, particularly as romantic relationships tend to involve spending a large proportion of one’s time with a significant other. Whilst you’ll want to be there for your partner, you must make sure you’re taking care of your own mental health too. Boundaries are also important because it is not healthy for them to become overly dependent on you.
Encourage them to…
engage in healthy habits; carry on doing hobbies that they used to enjoy; try new things; to socialise with loved ones and to reach out to them; to seek out commitments that add happiness and purpose to their life; and to seek professional help if needed
Zora’s blog 