Maintaining Your Mental Health

Social Support

Studies show us that people without a significant person in their life to share things with have higher rates of many diseases, including heart disease, cancer and arthritis.

One of the greatest benefits of social support is that it helps people deal with stress. Having someone to talk things out with reduces stress and protects you from the physical damage stress causes such as high blood pressure, ulcers, migraines, anxiety attacks and depression.

How does having friends really help?

1. Having friends helps prevent mental health problems. Whether you're healthy or if you have a mental illness, if you have someone to confide in, who cares and listens, you'll find it easier to deal with your problems. That reduces stress and prevents stress-related diseases, including depression.

2. You feel valued by others. Close relationships make you feel valued and cared for.

3. It increases self confidence. Social support is a mutual process. In your network, if you receive support from others, they feel needed and worthy because they can be of help. That increases their self confidence and self-esteem and contributes to positive mental health. The same benefits apply to us, when we are needed by others.