ROLE OF SUPPORT SYSTEM IN MENTAL HEALTH
As a therapist, I frequently witness the critical role that a support network plays in the healing and general well-being of those who are struggling with mental health issues.
Support from family, friends, therapists, and support groups helps reduce isolation and loneliness, promoting emotional resilience. Close and caring relationships are undeniably linked to health and well-being at all stages of life. The highlights the role of social support in enabling people to thrive while coping successfully with life's adversities and actively pursuing life opportunities for growth and development.
SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND MENTAL HEALTH:
A support system refers to a network of friends or resources that provide assistance, encouragement, and advice during challenging times. It includes anyone whom one can trust in the time of adversity.
- Family Members
- Friends
- Therapists
- Mentors
HOW TO BUILD A SUPPORT SYSTEM?
Maintaining your emotional and physical health depends on having a support system when things get complicated, even though handling certain things yourself is vital to gaining more confidence. You need to surround yourself with the appropriate people to progress significantly in developing new abilities or bettering yourself. As you travel through life, you want a caring and loving network of family and friends to support and encourage you.
- Professional growth allows you to meet and greet with like-minded people.
- Consider joining a fitness club for yoga, meditation, or gym activities to improve your physical abilities and connect with others who share your fitness goals.
- Be curious to try new activities and learn new hobbies to unlock more networking opportunities.
- Be a good influence to those who are honest with you, and do not hesitate to communicate openly and ask for help.
IMPACT OF SUPPORT SYSTEM ON MENTAL HEALTH:
1. Stress buffering:
Ongoing social support is crucial for stress and associated mental health problems. It helps sustain well-being by encouraging adherence to therapy or medication, preventing self-destructive behaviors, and maintaining positive social connections.
This 2022 study, based on the stress-buffering model of social support, explored the relationship between perceived social support (PSS) and received social support (RSS) and their impact on mental health. Perceived social support refers to the support individuals believe they can obtain from their network, while received social support pertains to the actual support they have received. It indicated that both types of social support are directly associated with improving an individual's mental health.
2. Encouragement and Motivation:
A strong support network helps build resilience by offering encouragement during setbacks and reinforcing strengths, motivating individuals to stay committed to mental health goals. Positive relationships within the network promote healthy behaviors like exercise, socializing, and self-care. These actions, in turn, boost overall mental well-being.
Support systems help with daily tasks, such as grocery shopping or childcare, allowing individuals to focus on their mental health. They also assist in accessing mental health resources, like therapy or crisis services.
3. Combating loneliness and associated illness:
Loneliness is becoming increasingly prominent in the modern world, and it has profoundly negative effects on mental health. Support systems offer a safe space for individuals to express their feelings, providing validation that reduces isolation, loneliness, and self-doubt. This emotional reassurance is invaluable during crises or periods of distress. Knowing someone cares fosters hope and alleviates the sense of facing challenges alone.
The current results from the 2022 study support robust links between social support and loneliness, emphasizing the critical role of social support in reducing loneliness.
A strong support network in managing individuals with depression and anxiety disorders is vital as it aids in recovery and overall well-being.
A WORD FROM MENTAL NURTURING:
A support network plays an essential role in mental health. It offers social interaction, practical help, emotional support, and encouragement for therapy. In addition to helping with symptom management, a robust support network promotes empowerment and community. This sense of community can make individuals feel less alone and more connected to others who understand.
However, it is essential to understand that these relationships require clearly defined boundaries and mutual care.
People with mental health issues are more likely to be resilient and have a higher quality of life when they receive enough care. Engaging with others who share similar experiences or values creates a sense of belonging, which is crucial for mental health, especially for conditions like depression or addiction. A therapeutic support system helps break down the Stigma surrounding mental health, creating a more nurturing environment for seeking help.
RESOURCES:
1- Turner, R. J., & Brown, R. L. (2010). Social support and mental health. A handbook for the study of mental health: Social contexts, theories, and systems, 2, 200-212.
2- Highland Springs Specialty Clinic. (n.d.). Highland Springs Specialty Clinic - The benefits and importance of a support system.
https://highlandspringsclinic.org/the-benefits-and-importance-of-a-support-system
3- Feeney BC, Collins NL. A new look at social support: a theoretical perspective on thriving through relationships. Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2015 May;19(2):113-47. doi: 10.1177/1088868314544222. Epub 2014 Aug 14. PMID: 25125368; PMCID: PMC5480897.
4- Handbook, U. E. (2024, January 16). Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). UNHCR.
https://emergency.unhcr.org/emergency-assistance/health-and-nutrition/mental-health-and-psychosocial-support-mhpss
Written by:
Rumsha Abdul Aziz, MS Psychology,
On January 25, 2025
