Building a Support Network

In managing your mental health, you may want to establish a reliable support network outside your medical or psychological treatment team. Your support network might include family members, close friends, trusted clergy, or community leaders.

Invite people to be in your network by disclosing your condition and asking if they would be willing to offer support in ways that respect their personal boundaries and obligations. It is best to choose people:

• you trust

• you have a close relationship with

• have the traits you desire in a supportive person, such as being empathetic, caring, and a good listener

If you do not feel comfortable asking people to be in your support network, talk to your doctor or therapist about finding online or in-person support groups in your area. A support group can connect you with peers who may be experiencing similar struggles. Often, we feel most comfortable talking to others who are going through similar challenges in life—people who truly "get" where we are coming from.

Ways to Build Social Support

Having strong social support helps to improve moods, behavior, and relationships. It also helps to improve communication and feelings of connectedness.

• Make a list of people who might be open to a visit or a phone call when:

  • You need support

  • You need help with solving problems

  • You need to hear encouraging words to improve your mood

• Write a note of encouragement, hope, or gratitude and mail it to the people on your list.

• Find local support groups

• Find specialized support groups

Take Time to Connect with Others

Spend time with people who lift you up emotionally. Set aside time each day to reconnect with people, even if only for a cup of coffee in the morning or quiet conversation in the evening.

• If you have children, find time to read a book or play with them.

• Take people up on offers to help, or look into respite care.

• Join friends for coffee, a monthly book club, or a night out. Build your support community, especially if you are a single adult. Start with one or two activities a month, then add more as you get comfortable and find more time.

• Nurture your emotional and spiritual needs. Some people find talking with a therapist or clergy member helpful. Others practice yoga, engage with a spiritual community, journal, paint, or read poetry. Do what works for you and helps you.

Connect with Other Parents

If you are the parent of a child with a mental health condition, physical disability, or a special health-care need you may feel isolated at times—even when surrounded by a team of caregivers and professionals. Here are a few ideas to help you feel less alone:

• Grant Halliburton Foundation’s Coffee Days is a free peer support group for mothers and female caregivers of young people with emotional or mental health challenges. Meetings are at 9:30 a.m. on the first Thursday, second Thursday, and third Saturday of every month.

• Navigate Life Texas is a website that offers ways to connect with other parents whose children are diagnosed with disabilities or special needs.

Identify Your Team

• Who can you call when you need to vent about work, family, or emotional stress? During stressful times, talk with them and ask if they can reach out to you regularly to help you feel supported.

• Which colleagues or peers can you count on for additional support and to help keep you focused while at work? Often, personal struggles can negatively impact our performance at work without us even realizing it. It's important to have someone at work you can check in with and who can help get you back on track if you are struggling.

• Is there a teacher, school counselor, or other school staff member you can communicate with regularly to ensure your child is being supported? While it's important for school staff to keep parents informed, it is also important for parents to connect with school staff and maintain open communication. This demonstrates that you want to work together as a team to support your child's social, emotional, and educational well-being.