Living Well - Jan - Feb 2017

2 6 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2 0 1 7
How to Help with a Partner
with a Mental Illness
Support groups can offer strength & hope
by TaNiqua Ward, M.S., Staff Writer
Many relationships have their
ups and downs. No relationship
is perfect. It takes a lot of work to
sustain a relationship, and having
a partner with a mental illness can
have a significant impact.
The National Alliance of Mental
Health (NAMI) (www.nami.org)
defines mental illness as a condition
that affects a person’s thinking,
feelings or moods. If you are
living with a mental illness and are
already in a relationship, you may
wonder whether you should tell
your partner about your mental
illness. If you are single and want to
be in a relationship, you may wonder
if a relationship is right for you.
You can build a relationship while
dealing with a mental illness if you
receive support and acceptance
from your partner.
Recent research has found
there is a correlation between the
type of relationship an individual
has and the effect it can have on
mental health. If an individual is in
a healthy relationship, the partner
that is struggling may fight off their
mental illness. However, if an individual
is in an unhealthy relationship,
mental illness can worsen and
the person may develop even more
problems. In addition, both partners
in the relationship can struggle
with symptoms of mental illness,
says marriage and family therapist
Pierre Imlay, MEd, RMFT. It is important
for couples to seek professional
help if one or both partners
have a mental illness.
Here are a few tips to maintain
a healthy relationship while facing
mental illness:
• Learn about the illness and
treatments – Research the
illness and educate yourself as
much as possible. Also, make
sure your partner is receiving
the appropriate treatment for
his or her illness.
• Seek out professional help
– Learn from a health professional
how you can help your
partner. Make sure your partner
is following the instructions
received from the health professional.
Counseling can also
help with the struggles you may
encounter. It provides balance
and guidance in a situation that
can easily become toxic under
the wrong circumstances.
• Maintain positive communication
– Keep encouraging your
partner. Continue to show and
state that you love him. Let her
know she has your support.
• Check in with one another –
Talk to one another regularly.
Share feelings, needs and expectations.
Try to schedule a regular
time to talk, such as during
dinner or before bedtime. Make
sure you are on the same page.
This also helps with accountability
in the relationship.
• Learn from the struggles –
When situations occur, allow
them to be a learning experience.
Reevaluate the situation
afterward and think of ways
you will handle it better next
time. Grow from every experience.
While adjusting to the stresses
of loving someone with a mental
illness, it is important to identify
sources of support. Consider
joining a family support group to
meet other people going through
the same struggles you may be
experiencing. Talking to them can
provide hope and understanding.
Research has shown family-based
programs improve the well-being
of individuals with mental illness,
as well as that of their partners
and families. Join a local family
support group to get the education
you need and help your
loved one overcome his or her illness.
You can find support groups
at your local hospital or health
department or you can contact
your local chapter of NAMI.