Why Support Matters for Mental Health

Asking for support can be tough. Offering support can be just as challenging. Support is one of the most important ways to manage one’s mental health and daily wellbeing. Whether it’s coping with national news, moments of trauma, or new life stages, challenging times should not be faced alone.

Support is as big or small as you make it. An act of self-care, support is any type of healthy assistance used during a difficult experience. It’s most often presented in peer-to-peer contexts, such as conversations and activities between people who closely know or relate to one another. Support leads to greater mental wellness by:​

• Building connection, which is an antidote to stress.
• Creating increased vulnerability with someone else, which strengthens a bond.
• Fostering the feeling that you are not alone.
• Providing a space to gain perspective on the difficulty you’re experiencing.

Many, though, feel shame or guilt when seeking support. Maybe you don’t know what to say, or don’t want to feel like a burden. But no person, community, or organization can thrive without it. It takes great strength to ask for help, and those who care about your well-being will feel valued, and not burdened when offering support. 

Taking the step

• Worried about what to say to a peer? Check out these helpful conversation starters.
• Community and connection are pivotal in maintaining positive mental health and wellness. The University of Minnesota Twin Cities has over 1,000 clubs and organizations to explore to fit your wants and needs. 
• Sometimes you need support from those who’ve walked in your shoes. Consider making connections with places like the Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life, the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence, the Aurora Center, and faculty and staff affinity groups.

Seeking professional support

• Reach out to programs like the Care Program or Let’s Talk for more short-term, informal services.
• Connect with licensed advocates and mental health professionals at Student Counseling Services, Boynton Mental Health, or using the Employee Assistance Program.

The practice of support in vulnerable moments can be uncomfortable; however, it gets easier the more you do it. Embracing new skills and responses for the betterment of you and your peers is a positive step toward ending the stigmas around mental health and wellness. It’s never too late to start.