Did you know that according to the Mental Health Foundation and YouGov, 74% of people feel so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope? Whether or not you’ve felt this way, it can be hard to know what to do or how to help someone who is not coping.
There are lots of things you can do to support someone you know who might be struggling with their mental health.
You could help them with household chores, suggest doing an activity together or spend time just being with them
Many of us experience mental health problems at some time, so it’s likely we will know someone who will struggle with their mental health.
We can all feel anxious, stressed or low at times, but it can be a problem if these feelings get worse, go on for a long time or affect our daily lives.
It might take time for someone’s mental health to improve, and some of us may need professional help, but there are ways to help and support someone to get back to positive mental health.
There are a few things that you can do to support yourself or someone you are worried about. We’ve also created a guide on what to do when you’re not coping. Before understanding how to help someone who is not coping, let’s look at the signs to look out for.
Signs to look for when someone is not coping:
- The person feels tired a lot of the time.
- They feel irritable and unable to focus.
- Resting or getting a good night’s sleep is difficult.
- The person is detaching and isolating themselves from others.
- They are feeling hopeless or having suicidal thoughts.
How can I help some who is not coping?
Supporting someone to help them cope can be challenging. Some people might reject taking your support initially, some may take some time to recover and some might need further professional help. Here are some tips that might help you support someone to cope better.
Offer your time to listen
Listening is an important skill. Ask open questions that start with “how”, “what”, “where” or “when”. This can help people open up. Get Listening tips from the Samaritans.
Do not force it
Do not force someone to talk to you or get help, or go to a GP on their behalf, as it migt make them feel uncomfortable. Gently explore their reasons and listen without judgement, as this might help to work out what to do.
Look after yourself
It can be upsetting to hear someone you care about in distress. Be kind to yourself and take some time to relax or do something you enjoy. (LINK to a CPSL resource)
Offer practical help
You help them come up with a solution to get through these difficult times. This allows the person to understand and accept what they are going through. Plus, it’s a good opportunity to remind them that they can recover from these feelings. Check out our resources page, which will provide you with useful tools such as the Five Ways to Wellbeing and a wellbeing plan to help you start off the conversation.
Check up on them/ reassure them
The first time someone shares their worries is a significant step, and acknowledging that can help them feel supported. Let them know you are available to listen whenever they want to talk. Checking in shows that they’re not alone and gives you a chance to offer support in a way that feels natural. A quick call, a message, or spending time together can help you stay connected without putting pressure on them.
You can also have a look at this article from Mind which helps understand how you can provide emotional and practical support.
How does my support help?
Providing support to help someone cope may be challenging. Not all of us have the right solution or are equipped to provide the right support but simple things like being there for someone or just being available to listen to someone sharing their feelings can be of huge help, even though you may not know what to say at that time.
Your support not only reduces the fear from the other person to talk and share their feelings openly but it also helps reduce the stigma around mental health, conveying the message that it’s okay to talk about it.
What if further help is required?
If you are worried about someone and feel that they need further support or professional help, then you can:
- Contact a GP to book an appointment.
- Call 111 and select the mental health option.
How can CPSL Mind help?
You can also have a look at our resources page which may help you with some information and best practices for your mental health. Additionally, have a look at one of our services, like the Good Life Service.
If you want to be equipped to help someone cope, then please feel free to sign up for one of our Mental health training courses.
May 26, 2026
