18 Texts to Send Your 'Strong Friend' Struggling With Their Mental Health
Do you ever check in on your “strong friend”?
We all have one. They’re the ones that, without a shadow of a doubt, come through for you. Whether it’s a call in the middle of the night, or dropping everything to spend time with you because your depression or anxiety won’t let you be alone for the day. The scenarios are the same. No matter what your “strong friend” has going on in their world, everything stops just so they can be that rock or anchor of support during your time of need. But while they are willing to stop the world to hold strong for your mental health, who do they turn to when it’s time to check in on theirs?
Being the “strong friend” is a difficult role for anyone to play. While some instinctually reach out for help when they are struggling, a strong friend might go inward and isolate, ignoring the problem altogether. When your “strong friend” isolates themselves, it isn’t a shout for you to keep your distance, it’s often a cry for help that they don’t know how to verbalize.
It’s important to show up for your strong friends when they are struggling. Supporting someone with mental health struggles can be tricky, especially if you don’t know how. But that’s where the magic of texting can come in handy. A 30-second text can go a long way to show support to a strong friend in need. The small action can have big significance — showing that you care.
Struggling with what to say in your supportive text? We asked The Mighty’s mental health community to help us out.
Here are 18 text messages you can send to your “strong friend” now:
1. “I’m coming over and I have wine.”
2. “Thank you for all you do.”
3. “I know it’s gotta be hard to stay strong all the time, but I’m thinking of you and I’m here for you.”
4. “How are you?”
5. “Hey, was thinking about you today. Hope you’re doing well.”
6. “You are strong, beautiful and determined.”
7. “Hey you, I see you struggling even though you’re strong, it’s OK. I’ve got your back.”
8. “Let’s talk about it and get through it together.”
9. “If you need to talk, I’m here to listen.”
10. “Just want you to know how much I care about you and how happy I am to have you in my life.”
11. “I’m here for you to lean on if you can’t cope.”
12. “We are not alone.”
13. “I see you, I appreciate you, I am here for you.”
14. “I know you’re having a rough day today but remember I love you.”
15. “You don’t have to be strong all the time and if you aren’t, I won’t flee.”
16. “It’s OK not to feel OK.”
17. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
18. “I love you.”
“Strong” can be a toxic, sometimes debilitating word to the people it’s thrust upon. When you’re given that label, everyone assumes you have it all together, even in moments where you don’t. Consider that when you find your “strong friend” isolating. Be their lifeline. Start with a text and then, if they are open to it, follow-through with plans. Whatever they need. Support goes both ways.
For more relatable stories, check out the following posts:
Photo by Hian Oliveira on Unsplash