In short: If someone close to you is experiencing mental health difficulties, your role is not to diagnose them or force them to behave in a particular way. You can help by listening without judgment, communicating respectfully, encouraging appropriate professional support, and offering practical help within healthy limits. If there is an immediate risk to their safety or the safety of others, urgent medical help should take priority.

You may notice that someone you know has changed significantly. They may become withdrawn, extremely anxious, unusually irritable, unable to sleep well, or begin behaving in ways that you find difficult to understand.

This can leave you wondering: How should I support someone who is struggling with their mental health?

Mental health difficulties can take many different forms. Depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, trauma-related conditions and other mental health problems can affect people in very different ways.

In this guide from Mental Care, an Egyptian mental health platform, we explain how to support someone experiencing mental health difficulties without trying to diagnose them yourself, what you can say or avoid saying, and when professional or urgent support may be needed.

What does it mean to have a mental health disorder?

A mental health disorder is a broad term that can describe many different conditions affecting thoughts, emotions, behaviour or a person's ability to function in everyday life.

Having a mental health disorder does not automatically mean that a person:

• Has permanently lost awareness or judgment.
• Cannot make any decisions.
• Is necessarily dangerous to other people.
• Cannot study, work or maintain relationships.
• Needs the same type of treatment as everyone else.

Mental health conditions vary considerably in their symptoms, severity and impact. This is why a diagnosis cannot be determined from one behaviour or an online checklist.

Why is respectful language important when talking about mental health?

Labels can affect how comfortable a person feels discussing their mental health or asking for support.

It is generally more accurate and respectful to say:

• A person experiencing mental health difficulties.
• A person diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
• A person experiencing symptoms that may need assessment.
• A person going through emotional or psychological distress.

Someone who is already struggling may also be dealing with fear, shame, confusion or isolation. Judgmental language can make it harder for them to ask for help.

How can you support someone with a mental health disorder?

Several practical steps can help you communicate in a more supportive and less judgmental way.

1. Listen before trying to solve the problem

A common reaction is to immediately give advice such as:

• "Stop thinking about it."
• "Just go out and distract yourself."
• "You're overthinking everything."
• "Everyone has problems."

These comments may be intended to help, but they can make the person feel misunderstood or dismissed.

You might begin with something simpler:

"I've noticed that things seem difficult for you lately. If you want to talk, I'm here to listen."

Listening does not mean agreeing with everything the person says. It means allowing them to speak without ridicule, blame or unnecessary judgment.

2. Do not force them to talk

Some people need time before they are ready to discuss their feelings or experiences.

If they do not want to talk, avoid turning the conversation into an interrogation.

You can let them know that you are available when they feel ready and continue checking in without pressuring them.

3. Talk about what you have noticed instead of diagnosing them

Instead of saying:

"You definitely have a mental illness."

You might say:

"I've noticed that you're not sleeping well, you've been withdrawing from people and you're finding it difficult to concentrate. I'm worried about you."

Talking about observable changes is usually less threatening than placing a diagnostic label on someone.

4. Ask what kind of help they need

Not everyone needs the same type of support.

They may need you to:

• Simply listen.
• Help them look for a mental health professional.
• Help organize an appointment.
• Accompany them to a session when appropriate.
• Help with some everyday responsibilities temporarily.

You could ask: "What would be most helpful for you right now?"

5. Encourage professional support without using threats

If the problem is continuing or significantly affecting everyday life, professional assessment may be helpful.

Try not to use treatment as a threat.

For example, avoid statements such as:

"If you don't see a doctor, I'm leaving."

or:

"You need treatment because you're not normal."

A more supportive approach might be:

"What you're going through seems really difficult. Talking to a professional may help us understand what is happening and what kind of support could help."

When should you encourage someone to seek professional mental health support?

Professional support may be particularly important when changes continue over time or begin interfering with everyday functioning.

Examples may include:

• Persistent or significant changes in mood.
• Severe anxiety or sadness that continues for a long time.
• Significant sleep problems.
• Withdrawal from friends or family.
• A major decline in work or academic functioning.
• Noticeable difficulty with personal care.
• Severe difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
• Persistent behavioural changes.
• Unusual experiences or beliefs that cause significant distress or interfere with everyday functioning.

One sign alone does not establish a diagnosis. Duration, severity and the effect on daily life all matter.

If you are unsure what type of professional may be appropriate, read: Therapist vs Psychiatrist: Who Should You See?

How can you help someone who refuses therapy or psychiatric care?

A person may refuse help for many reasons, including:

• Fear of receiving a diagnosis.
• Concern about stigma.
• Doubts about whether treatment can help.
• A previous negative experience.
• Concerns about cost.
• Difficulty recognizing how much the problem is affecting them.

Try to understand the reason rather than immediately arguing.

You might ask:

• What worries you most about speaking with a professional?
• Is there anything that would make the first step easier?
• Would you prefer an online or in-person session?
• Would you like us to look at different specialists together?

Some people may need several conversations before they feel ready to seek help.

What does someone with a mental health disorder feel?

There is no single answer because mental health disorders are not one condition.

Someone experiencing depression may describe their experience very differently from someone living with anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis or a trauma-related condition.

Some people may experience:

• Sadness or emotional emptiness.
• Fear or persistent tension.
• Fatigue or exhaustion.
• Confusion.
• Difficulty managing thoughts.
• Loss of motivation.
• Isolation or loneliness.
• Shame about telling other people what they are experiencing.

Do not assume that you already know what someone is feeling.

A better question may be: "What are you going through, and what feels most difficult for you right now?"

Does unusual behaviour always mean mental illness?

No.

Behaviour that seems unusual may be related to many factors, including personality, circumstances, stress, lack of sleep, physical illness, medication, substance use or other causes.

One behaviour cannot be used to determine whether someone has a mental health disorder.

A professional assessment considers symptoms, duration, severity, their effect on everyday life and the person's broader medical and psychological context.

What should you do if someone says things that appear unrealistic or difficult to understand?

If someone is seeing, hearing or believing things that other people do not share, arguing aggressively or making fun of the experience may increase distress.

It may be more helpful to:

• Remain as calm as possible.
• Listen to what the person is saying.
• Focus on their distress rather than entering a long argument about whether the experience is real.
• Avoid ridicule or humiliation.
• Encourage appropriate medical or mental health assessment.

For example, you might say:

"I can see that what you're experiencing is frightening. Let's find a professional who can help us understand what is happening."

When does a mental health situation become an emergency?

A situation requires urgent attention when there is an immediate or serious risk to the person or to others.

Examples include:

• Direct statements about suicide or wanting to die.
• An attempt to harm themselves.
• A clear threat to seriously harm another person.
• Extremely dangerous behaviour or inability to maintain basic safety.
• A severe and sudden change in awareness or behaviour that could have a medical cause.

In these situations, do not wait for a routine therapy appointment. Seek urgent medical help or go to an appropriate emergency department.

Do you have to tolerate everything because someone is mentally unwell?

No.

Compassion does not mean accepting threats, abuse, violence or constant emotional exhaustion.

You can support someone while still maintaining clear boundaries.

For example:

• "I'm here to listen, but I won't continue the conversation if I'm being insulted."
• "I can help you arrange an appointment, but I cannot be available all day."
• "I care about you, but if someone's safety is at risk, we need professional help."

Looking after your own mental health is also important.

How do you choose the right mental health professional?

If the person agrees to seek support, avoid choosing a professional based only on popularity.

Consider:

• The type of mental health professional.
• Their specialty.
• Qualifications and professional experience.
• The concerns or populations they commonly work with.
• Whether sessions are online or in person.
• Session price.
• Available appointments.

You can also read Mental Care's guide: How to Choose the Right Therapist: 7 Things to Consider Before Your First Session

How can Mental Care help?

Mental Care allows you to browse mental health doctors and specialists and review available professional profiles, specialties, session formats, prices, ratings and appointment availability.

After selecting the professional and appointment that suit your needs, the booking process can be completed through the Mental Care app.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should you support someone with a mental illness?

Listen respectfully and without judgment, focus on the difficulties or changes you have noticed rather than trying to diagnose the person, and encourage professional support when symptoms are persistent or significantly affecting daily life.

What are the signs that someone has a mental illness?

There is no universal list of behaviours that can confirm a mental health disorder. Different disorders have different symptoms, and professional assessment is needed to understand what may be happening.

What does a person with a mental health disorder feel?

Experiences vary considerably. A person may feel sadness, anxiety, fear, exhaustion, confusion, isolation or difficulty managing thoughts, but another person's experience may be very different.

Does someone with a mental illness always know they have a problem?

It depends on the condition and the severity of the symptoms. Some people clearly recognize that something is wrong and seek help, while others may have difficulty understanding or interpreting what they are experiencing.

How do I encourage someone to see a psychiatrist or therapist?

Start by listening and understanding why they are reluctant. Talk about specific difficulties you have noticed rather than diagnosing or threatening them, and offer practical help with finding and comparing appropriate professionals.

Should you force someone to go to therapy?

In non-emergency situations, pressure and threats can increase resistance. Support and encouragement are generally more constructive. If there is an immediate safety risk, however, urgent medical help may be necessary.

When should someone see a psychiatrist instead of a therapist?

The choice depends on the symptoms, the person's needs and whether medical or medication assessment may be required. Read: Therapist vs Psychiatrist: Who Should You See?

Read More on Mental Care

• How to Choose the Right Therapist: 7 Things to Consider Before Your First Session
• Therapist vs Psychiatrist: Who Should You See?
• How Do You Know If You Need a Therapy Session?
• Browse Mental Care Mental Health Specialists

Content last updated: September 23, 2026

Important: This article is for educational purposes and should not be used to diagnose another person based on their behaviour. If there is an immediate risk of self-harm, harm to others, or a severe and sudden change in awareness or behaviour, seek urgent medical help or go to an appropriate emergency department.