Supporting Loved Ones 💕
Love isn’t always enough - sometimes we need skills, boundaries, and strategies to truly support our loved ones while protecting our own well-being.
Specialized Support Guides
Eating Disorder Family Support Guide
Evidence-based guidance for families supporting a loved one through eating disorder recovery.
Postpartum Depression Support
How to recognize, understand, and support partners, daughters, or friends experiencing postpartum mental health challenges.
Core Principles of Supportive Relationships
1. Hold Space, Don’t Fix
- Listen without immediately offering solutions
- Validate their experience even if you don’t understand it
- Let them lead their own healing journey
2. Maintain Your Boundaries
- You can’t heal someone else by sacrificing your own well-being
- It’s okay to say “I love you and I can’t do this right now”
- Seek your own support when supporting others
3. Learn About Their Condition
- Understanding reduces fear and increases empathy
- Know the difference between support and enabling
- Recognize when professional help is needed
Warning Signs to Watch For
Immediate Crisis Indicators:
- Threats of self-harm or suicide
- Substance abuse escalation
- Complete withdrawal from relationships
- Inability to care for basic needs
- Psychotic symptoms or complete disconnect from reality
When to Seek Professional Help:
- Symptoms interfere with daily functioning for weeks
- Your relationship becomes solely focused on their crisis
- You feel unsafe or threatened
- Previous coping strategies stop working
Supporting Different Conditions
Depression: Gentle encouragement, practical help, patience with low energy Anxiety: Respect their fears, learn their triggers, celebrate small victories Trauma: Safety first, professional guidance, no pressure to “get over it” Eating Disorders: Avoid food/weight focus, support professional treatment Addiction: Clear boundaries, avoid enabling, support recovery programs
Crisis Resources for Australia
Emergency: 000 Suicide Prevention: 13 11 14 (Lifeline - 24/7) Family Support: 1800 551 800 (Relationships Australia) Mental Health Crisis: 1800 011 511 (SANE Helpline) Eating Disorders: 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673)
Take Care of Yourself Too
Supporting someone through mental health challenges can be emotionally exhausting. Remember:
- You need support too - consider counseling or support groups
- Set realistic expectations - recovery isn’t linear
- Celebrate small wins - acknowledge progress, however small
- Know your limits - you can’t love someone into wellness
- Practice self-care - you can’t pour from an empty cup
Remember
Love means wanting the best for someone, even when that includes boundaries, tough conversations, or stepping back. Your well-being matters too, and maintaining it actually helps you be a better support person.
Supporting others is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself with compassion 🤗