How to cope with mental illness when your family abandons you?

The effects of mental illness can take a toll on our relationships and tend to impact those around us who we are closest to - often this includes your family. Sometimes even if they really want to see us get better, our parents, siblings and even extended family members aren’t necessarily the ones who are able to provide us with the help we need. Don’t be discouraged, help is right where you are.

Repairing or maintaining family relationships while also navigating mental illness can cause rifts and occasionally, estrangement. So, let’s take a look at what to do if you face a similar situation and explore some assuring ways we can play a supportive role in getting you firmly back on your feet.

What causes families to withdraw when we’re mentally ill?

What we may perceive as abandonment is often simply our family distancing themselves from the mental and emotional issues we’re facing. A few contributing factors to this could be:

• They battle to empathize with your symptoms because they’ve not experienced them first hand
• Unresolved interpersonal issues have built up and left resentment which causes communication barriers
• There’s a sense of shame, either because of something you’ve done or something you’re embarrassed to admit

While members of our family may not be equipped to deal with our mental health struggles, our community of empathic, experienced and stringently-selected counselors are.

No family support doesn’t have to mean no support at all

To cope with mental illness when your family has abandoned you, start with what matters most. You. If you’re able to express what kind of support you feel you need to cope with whatever you’re going through, you’re more likely to be able to find someone or something that can meet those needs. We make this a priority at Peer Collective. We’ll suggest counselors that are skilled and experienced in specific areas that are the best match for you, in all your you-ness.

Coping through human connection & communication

We’ve found that walking through our mental health challenges (instead of around them) can be incredibly liberating. You’re not alone on this journey. Think of our peer counselors as guides along the way -creating the opportunity for you to share, unpack and process your emotions in the safety of virtual, accessible and affordable interactions.

Thea is one of our Peer Counselors and she turns to prayer while Tuyen on the other hand finds journaling a great release, and what’s hugely healing for Anna H just happens to be Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Our counselors all have their own quirks, comfort zones and coping strategies and they’re here to share their personal stories to help you discover what’ll work for you.

Taking the first step may be tough, but you’re even tougher

It’s hard to know how to cope with mental illness when you’re stuck in a rut of isolation or abandoned by family. We’re here to give you sight of avenues that’ll help you along the way and access to peers who can give you hope for healing. Book your online counseling session with a Peer Collective counselor, the first one is on us.