World Mental Health Day: How to Support Someone Struggling with Their Mental Health

Key Takeaways

• Give them time to talk without rushing to offer advice.
• Ask what help they need and respect their choices.
• Keep checking in while looking after your own wellbeing and being realistic about what you can do.
• Help them find professional support when needed.

You may have been in this situation before. A friend who is usually cheerful has stopped joining you for lunch. Someone in your family seems tired and easily upset. When you ask how they are doing, the simply reply, “Nothing’s wrong.”

You want to ask again, but worry about prying. You may want to offer advice, yet you do not really know what is happening.

When someone we care about is experiencing mental health issues, knowing how to help can be difficult. Some people want to talk. Others are not ready, but still appreciate having someone by their side. We can begin by checking in and giving them time to answer.

World Mental Health Day this year carries the theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”. It reminds us to listen to people who have experienced mental health difficulties and take their views into account when offering support.

As we mark World Mental Health Day in Malaysia, mental health awareness can begin with how we treat the people around us. Here are three things we can do when someone close to us is going through a difficult time.

Listen First, Without Judgement

Starting the conversation may be the hardest part. We do not want to say the wrong thing, but staying silent may lead them to think that nobody has noticed.

Choose a time when neither of you is in a rush. If possible, speak privately. Begin by mentioning something you have noticed, without assuming how they are feeling.
For example, “I’ve noticed you’ve been a little quiet lately. Is there anything you’d like to talk about?”

If they say, “nothing’s wrong”, you do not need to keep questioning them. You could say, “That’s okay. If you feel like talking later, I’m here to listen.”

When they begin sharing, try to resist the urge to find a solution straight away. Sometimes, we are so quick to say “try doing this,” that we have not yet taken the time to understand what is troubling them.

Put your phone aside and listen until they finished speaking. If they pause, give them time. Some feelings are difficult to explain, especially when someone is still trying to understand what they are experiencing.

Best For You’s guidance recommends giving someone your full attention and checking that you have understood what they shared. You could ask, “Do you mean that, since that happened, getting through each working day has felt difficult?” They can correct you if you have misunderstood.

Be careful with familiar phrases we might use to reassure someone:

• “Don’t overthink it.”
• “Other people have it worse.”
• “You need to be strong.”

Although we mean well, these words can leave someone feeling that they should not have spoken. A person experiencing mental health issues may have been trying to cope for a long time before finding the courage to tell anyone.

A more helpful response can be as simple as, “Thank you for telling me,” or “I don’t fully understand how you feel, but I’d like to.”

If you have been through something similar, do not rush to share your experience. Listen first. Your story might be useful later, but give them the chance to be heard for now.

Offer Help That Suits Their Needs

After listening, ask what they need.

“Would you like me to just listen for now, or is there something I could help with?”

This question can stop us from offering advice when someone simply wants to express how they feel. Some people also find it difficult to ask for help, even when everyday tasks have become overwhelming.

“Let me know if you need anything” may be sincere, but it can be difficult to respond to. Offering something specific makes it easier for them to accept help if they need it.

For example:

• “I’m going out to get food. Would you like me to bring you something?”
• “If you’d like, I could go with you to your appointment.”
• “I’m free this Saturday. Is there an errand I could help with?”

Small gestures like these can ease some of the everyday pressure. However, ask before taking action. Avoid booking appointments, contacting their family or taking over their arrangements without their agreement.

If they decline your offer, try not to take it personally. They may not be ready, or the type of help offered may not suit theri needs. You could ask, “Is there another way I could help?”

Everyone feels comfortable with different approaches. Some people find it easier to talk while walking. Others prefer messages because they need time to gather their thoughts. Try to follow their preferences where you can.

When discussing mental health, take care of the personal information they have trusted you with. Before sharing it with anyone else, ask permission and explain why you would like to involve them. Avoid making their experience a topic of conversation among family or friends.

So, how do you promote mental health awareness through your own actions? Use what someone shares to understand the kind of support that would be most helpful to them. We may have ideas about what they should do, but they need the opportunity to explain their own needs.

Keep Checking In and  Help Them Find Support

After the first conversation, keep checking in. A short message such as “How are things today?” can show that you still care. Agree on a suitable time to get in touch, without expecting an immediate reply.

Keep inviting them to meals or activities you usually enjoy together. Not every meeting needs to focus on mental health issues. Be honest about what you can manage, too, and discuss who else they feel comfortable approaching for support.
The support they need will depend on their situation. Here is some guidance on what to do next.

Everyday Emotional Support

If they want to talk and there is no immediate safety concern, give them space to share and ask what kind of help they need. You can listen, spend time with them or help with everyday tasks, with their agreement. This support can continue even while they are receiving professional care. NHS guidance also recommends practical help and continued social contact.

When to Seek Professional Help

If their difficulties become more severe, persist or affect everyday life, encourage them to speak with a doctor or mental health professional. Do not wait for an emergency. You can offer to help find services or accompany them to an appointment. This follows NHS guidance on seeking further support.

Mental health support options in Malaysia include:

• Talian HEAL 15555: The Ministry of Health Malaysia’s mental health crisis support line, as described by the National Security Council.
• Befrienders KL, 03-7627 2929: Confidential emotional support, available 24 hours a day, according to Befrienders KL’s official contact page.

When to Act Immediately

If there is immediate danger or they cannot keep themselves safe, call 999 or seek help at the nearest emergency department. MyGovernment confirms 999 as Malaysia’s emergency services number, while https://befrienders.org.my/get-help/i-need-help-right-now/ advises seeking emergency help when someone cannot stay safe. Do not delay emergency action while waiting for a support line to answer.

What If They Refuse Help?

If there is no immediate danger, ask what makes them hesitant. Listen without pressuring them and offer options they may feel more comfortable accepting, such as calling a support line together. If you remain concerned about their safety, seek prompt guidance from a healthcare professional or support line.

However, if there is immediate danger, call 999 even if they refuse help. Stay with them if it is safe for you and explain that you are seeking help because you are concerned about their safety. Do not attempt to physically restrain them or put yourself in danger. Mind’s guidance on refusing help and emergencies distinguishes between respecting someone’s choices and getting help when safety is at risk.

Start by Checking In

We may not always know what to say when someone we care about is going through a difficult time. Take time to check in, listen without judgement and ask what support they need. If they are not ready to talk, give them space and continue keeping in touch as you normally would.

At Great Eastern Takaful Berhad (GETB), we encourage you to care for your own wellbeing and the wellbeing of your loved ones. This World Mental Health Day, make time to listen in everyday life. A short message, an invitation to lunch or an offer to accompany them to an appointment can show that you care. When professional help is needed, support them in seeking it.

Learn more about how Great Eastern Cares supports communities through initiatives that improve quality of life, wider access to takaful protection,  financial literacy and environmental action.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does someone need a diagnosis before seeking help for mental health issues?
   No. They can seek help before receiving a diagnosis. If something feels difficult to manage, they can speak with a doctor or mental health professional to better understand what they are experiencing. Avoid labelling someone based on what we observe or read online.
2. How can I help if I live far away from them?
   Ask whether they prefer messages, phone calls or video calls. You could also offer help such as arranging a food delivery or finding nearby services. If you are concerned about their safety, find out their current location and contact emergency services or a trusted person nearby.
3. Can someone who continues working and seems cheerful still experience mental health issues?
   Yes. Someone may continue working, joking and following their usual routine while experiencing mental health issues. Their outward appearance does not necessarily reflect how they feel. If they share a difficulty, listen openly rather than assuming that they are fine simply because they seem cheerful.
4. Can I contact a mental health support line in Malaysia for guidance about someone else?
   Yes. Befrienders KL also helps people who are worried about someone they know. You can call to discuss your concerns and get guidance on supporting that person. You do not need to know exactly what is happening before asking for advice.
5. How do you promote mental health awareness in a family that sees it as a weakness?
   Begin with familiar experiences, such as difficulty sleeping, feeling anxious or losing concentration. Share information from trusted sources and avoid language that embarrasses someone. WHO explains that mental health is influenced by individual, social and environmental factors. Treating difficulties as a weakness alone does not reflect the full picture.

References:

1. https://wfot.org/news/2026/world-mental-health-day-2026-announcing-this-years-theme
2. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
3. https://www.mkn.gov.my/web/ms/2025/11/03/talian-krisis-kesihatan-mental-kebangsaan/
4. https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/supporting-others/helping-others/
5. https://bestforyou.org.uk/guides/supporting-others-with-their-mental-health/how-to-listen/
6. https://befrienders.org.my/get-help/im-worried-about-someone/
7. https://befrienders.org.my/contact-us/