An unspoken and oftentimes silent sufferer in relationships is some form of depression or other mental health challenge.

Much attention is given to physical health (exercise), financial health (money/budget), personal health (activity that mainly affects you), professional health (work/business), and even emotional health (stress/feelings about your relationships).

But what tends to get overlooked, and probably the most important, is mental health; which affects all other areas of your health; such as those listed above.

You see, if your thinking is faulty, it will spill over into other areas of your life, relationships, and health. Your thoughts affect your feelings, and your feelings pretty much rule and run everything else; including your actions, attitude, and behavior.

Your feelings come from your thoughts; which is part of your mind, your mental state, and your mental health. That said, it makes sense how great of a role your mental health plays in your overall health.

The conversation that goes on in your mind, and the way you see yourself, will be a direct reflection of how your overall mental health and wellbeing will impact not only you and your life, but your relationship with others as well.

Your mental health and wellbeing is very important. This cannot be stressed enough. It is imperative that you not only take good care of yourself, but what and how you think as well. Be careful what you allow to enter your eyes and ears, because it will affect you mentally and emotionally. It can also trigger other types of mental health problems.

So, do your best to head off potential issues if you can. In fact, depending on how long you let something linger or fester internally, the more it will affect you; positively or negatively.

Some ways depression and other mental health challenges can impact your relationships include:

• Keeping things inside and not talking them out
• Withdrawing and isolating from others
• Rehashing negative thoughts over and over in your mind
• Staying stuck in the past
• Not being open and honest about your thoughts and feelings
• Internalizing
• Continual resistance to doing what you know is good and “right”
• Remaining in darkness most of the time (closed doors/blinds/curtains)
• Feelings of loneliness
• Feeling like nobody cares or understands

There are plenty other ways in which depression and mental health can impact you, your life, and your relationships with others. Those just mentioned above seem to show up more often and interfere with day-to-day functions of a relationship.

Here are some things you can proactively do to help yourself or someone you know who suffers with some form of mental health challenges:

• Pay attention to the above warning signs that something more could be going on
• Show concern, compassion, and sympathy
• Invite them out for a walk, talk, or meal away from their daily routine
• Offer or seek help when needed
• Get them to talk, laugh or smile

I hope this has provided you with a greater sense of awareness of the impact mental health has on people, if you were not aware already; and more importantly, some things you can do to help. Depression, or any form of mental health, can be a challenge; but it can also be managed.

Please don’t hesitate to seek help and support if needed. Resources for your specific need and area may be different from others. I recommend you do prior research for this information and have it with other emergency numbers and contacts, should the need arise. Or, for one of those times when you’re helping someone else, you’re armed and ready.

That’s being a good and helpful friend. Everybody needs at least one. Being a helpful friend for someone else makes the chances or likelihood of someone being there for you when needed.

With that, Be Safe. Be Blessed. Be Well.