When you see someone dealing with an emotional or mental health crisis, it’s only natural that your first instinct would be to help. However, helping isn’t always easy, and it doesn’t always come at no risk to you, meaning that some degree of self-preservation is worth maintaining as well. To that end, here, we’re going to look at how you can offer help while taking care of yourself.

Finding The Way To Communicate Your Concerns

If you’re no longer able to sit by and watch a loved one in emotional distress, then expressing concern is important. However, how you do it can affect how willing they are to accept help. Focusing on your own observations, rather than accusations, and using “I feel” statements to frame those concerns can help reduce any compulsion on their part to act defensively. Make sure that they know your intention is to help, not to criticize or control them. You can’t decide whether or not they’re willing to accept your help, but you can make yourself a safe place for honest communication. Sometimes, that door opens slowly while you build trust.

Set Healthy Boundaries For Yourself

The important thing to keep in mind is that it never benefits either party for one to sacrifice their mental health for another. If you don’t set boundaries, the support you want to offer can quickly become tinged by emotional exhaustion and resentment. Know your limits around time, emotional labor, and the behaviors that you’re willing to tolerate. If those boundaries are crossed, take a step back and don’t be afraid to say no when you need to.

Help Find Professional Help (When Applicable)

Sometimes, a loved one might be dealing with issues that are too complex or medical in nature to be able to help them through it with general support. Some challenges require professional care. If they’re using drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism, for instance, then you can help them find addiction treatment centers in your area. Again, you can’t force them to accept any kind of treatment, but you can let them know what options are available, or even offer to attend a first consultation with them if they’re open to the idea.

Don’t Neglect Your Own Needs

Just as you shouldn’t let your own boundaries become secondary, you should also make sure that you invest some time into self-care. Supporting someone can be emotionally tiring, and you can find yourself becoming overwhelmed. Taking the time to prioritize your rest, to get moving, nd to take part in activities that bring you joy isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. If you burn out while trying to help someone, you’re not helping them or yourself. You may even want to look into talking to someone, be it a therapist or a support group.

Although your loved one might be the one in need of help, your own health and safety should remain your priority. On top of the tips above, knowing when to step back, either to seek additional support or to protect yourself, is important.