Things Someone With A Mental Illness Want To Hear On Their Darkest Days
Every human being with a mental illness is different, their recovery is different, their beginning, middle and end is different. There are moments when the burden seems too heavy a load to carry — particularly when all you want is to take away the pain at whatever cost so the sufferer can feel some relief. In a moment of weakness, or at the onset of an episode, someone with a mental illness may feel isolated, humiliated, and ashamed, and the response of those who are available for support is crucial to seeing the sufferer through to other side.
My mental illness isn't automatically 'cured' - I'm still in recovery and there is no shame in that. My mental illness is extremely exhausting. I may seem lazy to be napping and tired all the time, but it takes so much energy to fight your own mind every hour of every day while doing all the important things.
The simple act of having someone who will listen, comfort, and reassure me have been, in part, the things that have given me the strength to not give up and to keep holding out for the light in the darker moments of my illness. And that is because words have the power to heal just as much as they have the power to hurt. Identifying what words help and can possibly breathe just enough life into someone’s spirit to get them through a rough moment, hour, or day
'if you were born with the weakness to fall you were born with the strength to rise' - rupi kaur
1.You are important to me. You matter to me and so do your feelings.
2. You are worth more than your darkness.
3. Be kind and gentle with yourself. You are doing the best you can.
4. You are not alone. You are worthy of life. You are worthy of love and kindness.
5. You won’t always feel this way.
6. You’re a strong person. You are stronger than you think.
7. You are not your depression. You are not your anxiety. This does not define you.
8. Some days you'll have setbacks, but just know that tomorrow is a new day with new possibilities.
9. You have the strength and courage to fight this
10. Take your time, no-one is rushing you to feel better. You and your mental health are your priority
11. Take pride in your small victories, because small victories lead to bigger ones. Sometimes we deserve an inner self-five.
12.You're not wrong for feeling the way you do and no one blames you for it.
13. Just do the best you can because that's enough.
14. Do you want a hug/food/me to sit with you?
15. I know I don’t understand what you’re feeling, but I love you all the same and I will help in whatever way I can
Having a mental illness weighs me down constantly. I may look confident, happy, strong. I'm trying to be better. You never see the losing battle someone deals with each day but what you can do is let them know you are there and you will support them in anyway you can. Your kindness is appreciated even if you don’t understand what they are going through. Please be patient! We do care and we do try our best.
