When someone you care about is struggling with mental health problems, it can be difficult to know exactly what to say or do. You may find yourself feeling overwhelmed, unsure how to provide support, or afraid of saying the wrong thing. But your presence, validation, and guidance can make all the difference in someone’s healing journey.
At Innerspace Counseling, we believe that understanding, compassion, and access to the right resources are crucial when supporting someone through a mental health crisis. Whether your friend is facing anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, or another mental health disorder, your support matters. This blog will offer guidance on validating their thoughts and feelings, using supportive language, and directing them to professional treatment options—including our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP).
Why Validation Matters
Validation is the foundation of emotional support. It tells your friend, "I see you, I hear you, and what you're going through matters." When someone opens up about their mental health issues, they are showing vulnerability. Responding with judgment, minimization, or unsolicited advice can shut down communication and increase feelings of shame.
Here’s what validation can look like in practice:
“That sounds really hard. I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way.”
“I can’t imagine how overwhelming that must be, but I’m here for you.”
“You’re not alone. I want to help however I can.”
These statements acknowledge the person's emotional experience without trying to fix it immediately. You are creating space for their emotions to exist without shame, which is especially important for those dealing with depression, anxiety, or trauma.
Recognizing a Mental Health Crisis
A mental health crisis doesn’t always look like someone sobbing or having a panic attack. It can be subtle or disguised behind a smile. Some signs to look out for in children, adolescents, or adults include:
Sudden withdrawal from friends or family
Talking about hopelessness or feeling like a burden
Dramatic changes in sleep, appetite, or behavior
Expressing thoughts of death or suicide
Self-harming behavior
Increased substance use
If you notice any of these signs, especially if they talk about suicidal thoughts or hopelessness, it's essential to take them seriously and respond with compassion and urgency.
The Power of Language: What to Say (and What to Avoid)
Words can be healing or harmful. Here’s a guide to language that supports rather than stigmatizes.
Use Supportive Language:
“You’re not weak for feeling this way.”
“Mental health problems are real, and you deserve support.”
“It’s okay to ask for help. That takes courage.”
“You matter, and I care about you.”
Avoid Dismissive Language:
“Just cheer up, it’s not that bad.”
“Other people have it worse.”
“You're being dramatic.”
“Snap out of it.”
Even well-meaning comments can cause harm if they invalidate the person's experience. Practice active listening, reflect back what you hear, and offer emotional safety instead of solutions.
Where to Turn in a Crisis
If your friend is in immediate danger, always prioritize their safety:
Call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room if they are at risk of harming themselves or others.
Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
Use the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741 for support from trained crisis counselors.
It’s okay if you’re unsure what to do. These crisis services are available to guide both those struggling and the friends supporting them.
Helping a Friend Get Professional Support
Sometimes, the most supportive thing you can do is help your friend connect with a mental health professional. If they are hesitant, try offering to:
Help them make a phone call to a psychiatrist or therapist.
Look up treatment options together.
Drive them to an appointment or to the hospital.
Stay with them during intake or assessments if appropriate.
Remember, friends and family are often the bridge between someone in pain and the help they need.
How Innerspace Counseling Can Help
At Innerspace Counseling, we specialize in providing structured, evidence-based mental health care for adolescents and adults who need more than weekly therapy. Our programs are designed to meet individuals where they are, offering both flexibility and intensive support.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Our IOP is ideal for individuals who are struggling with daily functioning due to mental health issues but do not require 24-hour care. Clients attend group therapy sessions multiple times per week, participate in individual therapy, and meet with a psychiatrist for medication management. IOP is an excellent option for people who are leaving an inpatient facility or need a higher level of care than traditional therapy provides.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
PHP offers a more comprehensive level of care than IOP and is designed for individuals in more acute distress. It is a structured day program that includes several hours of therapy, skill-building, psychiatric evaluations, and medication support five days a week. Clients return home at night, allowing them to remain connected with their daily lives while receiving intensive support.
Both our IOP and PHP programs are rooted in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—two of the most effective approaches for managing emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
These therapies focus on:
Building effective coping skills
Identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns
Regulating emotions
Improving relationships with friends and family
Who We Treat
We offer specialized programs for:
Children (ages 8–11)
Adolescents (ages 12–17)
Adults (18 and up)
Whether it’s a child struggling with anxiety, an adolescent experiencing suicidal thoughts, or an adult navigating depression, Innerspace Counseling has the expertise and programming to help.
Creating a Supportive Treatment Plan
One of the first steps in the healing journey is developing a treatment plan that is tailored to the individual’s unique needs. At Innerspace Counseling, each client’s plan is developed in collaboration with our licensed clinicians and psychiatrists to ensure it addresses all aspects of their mental health.
This includes:
Psychiatric evaluations
Individual and group therapy
Family involvement when appropriate
Ongoing assessment and updates to ensure progress
Our programs are not one-size-fits-all. We treat the whole person and adjust care as they grow and heal.
How to Contact Innerspace Counseling
If you or a friend are struggling with mental health issues and need support, don’t wait.
Contact Innerspace Counseling today to learn more about our IOP and PHP programs.
📞 Phone: (732) 332-8270
🌐 Website: www.innerspacecounseling.com
📍 Location: Old Bridge, NJ
We offer free phone consultations to help determine if our Intensive Outpatient Program or Partial Hospitalization Program is the right fit for you or your loved one.
Final Thoughts
Being there for a friend who is going through a mental health crisis is one of the most compassionate things you can do. By validating their experience, offering supportive language, and guiding them toward effective treatment options, you can play a vital role in their recovery.
Mental health care is not a journey anyone needs to walk alone. With programs like IOP and PHP at Innerspace Counseling, there is real, structured help available. Whether it’s learning DBT skills, working with a psychiatrist, or building a customized treatment plan, we are here to support every step of the way.
If someone in your life is struggling, remind them: help is available, healing is possible, and you are with them through it.