5 Ways You Can Help the Partner of Someone Struggling with Mental Illness
Their struggle affects their partner too.
For the second time in six months, my sweet wife was admitted into a behavioral center to help her control her suicidal thoughts. My heart aches for her. I know she’s safe there, but I can’t help but lie there at night — her side of the bed empty — pondering, worrying, and unable to fathom the intense battles she’s waging within her mind. In those long, late-night hours, I at least find comfort in knowing she’s surrounded by trained people, providing her treatment, watch, and care.
She’s gone for two weeks, but life at home must continue.
There are so many people struggling with mental illness…so very many. 1 in 5 in the United States alone is the latest estimate. Millions upon millions of people, fighting these intense mental battles — it’s painful to even consider these numbers. While I don’t have the data to back up my own claims, I can only imagine there are many more struggling who never make it onto these statistical lists.
And that’s when my heart turns to the partners of those struggling with mental illness. Today I’m writing this article for them, the people on the other side of those startling numbers.
