September Mental Health Month: How to support someone who is struggling
By Katemarthason Okudo, September 1, 2026Mental health struggles are not always easy to notice. Someone may continue going to work, school or carrying out daily responsibilities while quietly dealing with stress, anxiety, sadness, or other emotional difficulties.
For families and friends, knowing how to respond when someone finally opens up can make a difference. Sometimes, support does not require having the right solution. It starts with listening, showing concern, and helping the person find the right support.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), creating opportunities for open and respectful conversations can help reduce stigma and make it easier for people experiencing mental health conditions to seek help.
What to say when someone says they are struggling
When someone says they are not doing well, the first response can shape whether they feel comfortable speaking again.
Instead of immediately giving advice or telling them to be strong, it can help to say, “I am here to listen,” “Thank you for telling me,” or “You do not have to go through this alone.”
A person may not always want solutions. They may simply want someone to listen without judging, interrupting, or comparing their experience with someone else’s.
Questions such as “Would you like to tell me more about what you are going through?” can give them room to speak at their own pace.
It is also important to avoid dismissing their feelings with statements such as “everyone has problems” or “you should just pray about it”. While faith and encouragement may be meaningful to some people, struggling with mental health should not be treated as a personal failure.
WHO guidance on psychosocial support recommends listening, showing empathy and helping people access practical and professional support when necessary.
Warning signs someone may be struggling
Mental health difficulties can appear differently from one person to another. However, changes in normal behaviour can sometimes signal that someone needs support.
These may include withdrawing from family and friends, losing interest in activities they previously enjoyed, noticeable changes in sleeping or eating patterns, persistent sadness, irritability, difficulty concentrating or appearing overwhelmed for a prolonged period.
More serious warning signs include talking about hopelessness, feeling like a burden, saying they have no reason to live, discussing suicide or self-harm, giving away valued possessions or suddenly saying goodbye to loved ones.
According to WHO, asking someone directly whether they are thinking about suicide does not cause suicidal behaviour. It can instead help the person feel understood and open the door to getting help.
If someone appears to be in immediate danger of harming themselves, they should not be left alone. A trusted family member, health professional or emergency service should be contacted promptly.
How families can create a safe space
A supportive home does not have to be perfect. What matters is creating an environment where people can talk without immediately being blamed or criticised.
Families can start by making ordinary conversations more open. Asking how someone is doing and genuinely listening to the answer can make it easier for them to speak when something is wrong.
Parents, siblings and relatives can also avoid using mental health struggles as a source of shame during disagreements. Privacy should be respected, but serious safety concerns should not be kept secret simply because someone asked for confidentiality.
The Kenya Ministry of Health provides mental health resources, showing the importance of recognising mental health concerns and connecting people with appropriate care.
Supporting someone does not mean becoming their therapist. It means being present, listening without judgement and encouraging them to seek professional help when needed.