How to Offer Help and Refer Someone for Mental Health Support
Introduction: Supporting Through Professional Help
When someone opens up about their mental health struggles, it can feel overwhelming to know how best to support them. While offering a listening ear and emotional support is crucial, guiding them toward professional help is often the next, most important step. Mental health professionals, including therapists, counselors, and doctors, can provide the tools and treatments necessary to help someone begin to heal.
Referring someone to professional help shows that they donβt have to face their challenges alone. By being part of their support system, you can make the process of finding help less daunting and more accessible.
If you or someone you love is in immediate need of mental health support, donβt hesitate to seek help right away. You can call, text, or chat with available national resources:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat 988 for immediate crisis support, available 24/7.
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
1. Why Referring for Help Is Important
Mental health struggles, especially severe conditions like depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, often require professional intervention. Therapists, counselors, and doctors have the expertise to provide the right tools, coping strategies, and, if necessary, medical interventions that can make a significant difference in someoneβs life.
Professional care vs. personal support: While friends and family offer emotional support, trained professionals are equipped to diagnose and treat mental health conditions. Professional help provides structured guidance for healing.
Addressing the stigma: Some people may resist seeking help due to stigma or fear of judgment. Normalizing therapy and mental health treatment can help break down these barriers.
Key Point: Encourage the person to view seeking professional help as a sign of strength, not weakness. Therapy is a tool that empowers individuals to take control of their mental health.
2. How to Approach the Referral Conversation
After someone has opened up to you, gently guiding them toward professional resources is the next step. Your goal is to offer support without overwhelming them.
Be gentle but clear: After validating their feelings, suggest, βIβm really glad you told me how youβre feeling. I think talking to a professional could be really helpful. What do you think?β
Avoid pushing too hard: Respect their timeline if they seem hesitant. Offering information about resources without pressure gives them the option to explore help at their own pace.
Frame it positively: Explain that therapy is a space just for themβwhere they can talk freely, gain perspective, and develop coping strategies.
Example:
βYou deserve to feel supported in this, and I think talking to a therapist could help you work through these feelings. Iβd be happy to help you find someone to talk to.βAction Tip: Suggest starting with a consultation or contacting an anonymous helpline like 988 as an initial step if theyβre uncertain about therapy.
3. Offering Practical Help: Taking the Next Steps Together
Finding professional help can feel overwhelming, especially if someone is already struggling. Offering practical support, such as helping them find the right resource, can make the process less daunting and more accessible. Different people might need specific kinds of support depending on their background, identity, or unique challenges.
Research options together: Assist them by looking up therapists, support groups, or local services. You can start with general directories like Psychology Today, which lists licensed mental health professionals in your area.
Specific resources for different audiences: Depending on the personβs background, suggest specialized support services that cater to their unique needs:
For LGBTQ+ individuals: The Trevor Project offers a 24/7 crisis helpline, chat services, and support resources specifically for LGBTQ+ youth.
For men: HeadsUpGuys is an excellent resource aimed at supporting men with mental health challenges, offering strategies and tips for managing depression and crisis situations.
For veterans: The Veterans Crisis Line provides 24/7 support for veterans, service members, and their families. Veterans can call 988, then press 1, or text 838255 to connect with a trained responder who understands their unique challenges.
Check out our #Find - Resources for more support options.
Make the first steps easier: Offer to assist in making phone calls to therapists or support hotlines. If theyβre hesitant, offer to sit with them while they make their first appointment or, if possible, accompany them to their first session.
Provide immediate resources: Share contacts for national and audience-specific crisis services like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or Crisis Text Line, along with specialized services like those listed above.
Example:
βI know it can feel overwhelming to start therapy, but Iβd love to help you find a therapist or counselor. We can look through options together and find someone youβre comfortable with.βAction Tip: Sometimes, the smallest acts, like helping them schedule an appointment or offering information tailored to their needs, can make the process feel more approachable.
4. Crisis Situations: When Immediate Help Is Needed
In cases of immediate crisisβespecially if someone expresses suicidal thoughts or behaviorsβwaiting for a therapy appointment is not an option.
Contact emergency services: If you believe the person is in immediate danger, call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
Help them reach out to a crisis line: Encourage them to text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line) or call 988 to connect with a trained counselor.
Remove access to harmful items: If youβre with someone at risk of self-harm, remove dangerous items from their environment (e.g., weapons, pills).
Example:
βIβm really worried about you, and I think we need to get some help right now. Letβs call 988 together so we can talk to someone who can help you through this.βAction Tip: Stay with the person during a crisis and contact emergency or crisis services. Your presence can provide them with much-needed comfort and support.
5. Normalize the Process: Break the Stigma Around Professional Help
Many people hesitate to seek therapy due to the stigma associated with mental health treatment. You can help dismantle this stigma by normalizing therapy and encouraging them to view it as part of a healthy self-care routine.
Normalize therapy: Compare therapy to other forms of wellness, like seeing a doctor for physical health. Everyone benefits from professional help at some point in their lives.
Reassure them itβs a sign of strength: Seeking help requires courage and self-awareness. Let them know that choosing to talk to a professional is an empowering step toward improving their well-being.
Example:
βTalking to someone isnβt a sign of weaknessβitβs a really brave thing to do. Therapy can be such a valuable tool in helping you feel better, and thereβs no shame in asking for help.β6. Follow Up After the Referral
After someone takes the first step to seek professional help, your support doesnβt stop there. Following up with them is crucial for reinforcing that you care about their ongoing journey.
Check in: Ask how theyβre feeling after their therapy sessions or professional consultations. While they may not share everything, knowing youβre still there can be incredibly reassuring.
Encourage consistency: If theyβre feeling uncertain after the first few sessions, remind them that progress takes time, and encourage them to continue the process.
Example:
βIβm so proud of you for taking this step. How are you feeling after your session? Iβm here if you ever want to talk about how itβs going.βAction Tip: Keep offering your support after theyβve started therapy. Following up shows that youβre committed to their well-being long-term.
Conclusion: Referring for Help Could Change a Life
Referring someone to professional help is one of the most impactful ways you can support someone struggling with their mental health. By guiding them toward trained professionals, providing practical help, and normalizing the process, you can help them take a critical step toward healing. Whether itβs offering to research options together or contacting a crisis hotline in an emergency, your actions could changeβand even saveβa life.
If you or someone you love is in immediate need of support, call, text, or chat with the following national resources:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat with 988 for immediate support, available 24/7.
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained counselor 24/7.
#MentalHealthMatters | #SuicidePrevention | #TalkAboutIt | #LiveWorthLiving
Disclaimer: We are not medical professionals. This is a research-based article created using a variety of available sources. The information provided is for general guidance and educational purposes only. Please consult a licensed therapist, counselor, or medical professional for specific mental health advice and treatment.