7 Ways To Build A Support System For Mental Health

What is a support system according to you? To me having a support system means that you have some people in your life who you can lean on and who help you rise above. Your support system can be a bunch of friends, colleagues, family members, community members, etc.

A support system acts as a wall between you and your challenges. They become the armor that helps you fight your battles. Having a strong support system is like an added advantage, it makes you mentally strong.

A support system helps you stand tall against your emotional as well as physical turmoil. When there is a lack of support system, facing your challenges becomes a lot more difficult. It becomes harder to see light at the end of the tunnel.

If you think you lack a support system, worry no more! We are here to help you with just that…

Let’s get started!

How To Build A Support System?

We all know how important having a support system is for our mental health. Irrespective of being in a stressful situation or not, a strong support system only makes you grow. They are there to advise you, point out your mistakes, support you in vulnerable times, etc.

Here are some ways you can build a support system, let’s have a look at them;

1.Make new connections, take social risks

To build a support system you need to step out of your comfort zone and take some social risks. Now, it is going to be difficult and you will face rejection and failure too. However, out of 10 people, you’ll find at least one person you can confide in, and that is what we want. To find a diamond in a pile of coal, you’ll have to get your hands dirty.

Also read: Mentally Unsupportive Family? Here’s What To Do

2.Let the people in your life know they are important to you

Sometimes the inability to express your feelings and thoughts about your friends and family members can confuse the other person. In your head, you’re counting on that person but they have no idea about how you feel about them. Express your feelings and let them know how important they are to you and give them all that you expect out of them.

3.Know who you want in your support system

It’s important to understand what you need and how much support you need from your friends and family. You have to do it for yourself, figure out what kind of people you need in your support system and how much of their help and support you need. It’s about self-awareness, knowing how much you want to depend on someone and how much you expect them to come into your space.

4.Reach out

It’s important to reach out and ask for help. Nobody knows what is going on in your head unless you talk about your problems and feelings, nobody will ever know. Therefore, reach out for help or just to build your connections. If you don’t resonate with your existing friends, reach out to new people, and make efforts to find people with whom your frequency matches.

5.Cut ties of unhealthy connections

Sometimes holding on hurts more than letting go. One of the reasons you lack a strong support system is that you are holding on to unhealthy relationships. Recognize unhealthy relationships and connections that have just been dragging all these years. Let them go and cut ties with people who pull you down.

Also read: Be Your Own Shield! Here’s What To Do When Your Support System Abandons You?

6.Have some patience

Things will not change overnight. You will have to build some patience because good things take time. It is stupid to expect things to get better in a flash. You put in your effort and time it time to manifest into something beautiful. To build a strong support system you need to allow it some time to grow stronger.

7.Take care of your relationships

It’s wrong to not invest yourself in a relationship but expect a lot from the other person. If you want support from someone you need to become their support system as well. Be there for them when they need you, and make them feel loved and valued. Be the support you expect for yourself. Give your relationships more love and support than they expect of you.

That’s All Folks!

I hope you found this blog about how to build a support system helpful, informative, and thought-provoking. A support system does come up just like that, you need to put in an effort to build a support system. Having a support system is very good for your mental health and helps you fight your challenges even better.

Thanks for reading.

Take care and stay safe.