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Someone who is good for your mental health is someone who offers support and positivity. They’re there to help you when you need it most, even if that means only lending an ear or offering a comforting hug. They’re the ones who remind you that things will get better. They’re the ones who make sure your friends are never too far away from you because they know how isolating depression can be and don’t want to see anyone else go through what you have. They’re the friend that knows just when to let you cry alone and when it’s time for everyone to come together and celebrate what makes us all so special as human beings. And no matter how much time passes or how many relationships come and go, they continue to stand by your side as your rock. But just because someone is technically a rock doesn’t mean they are necessarily worthy of being called a true friend. It can be hard to tell sometimes, but there are ways we can determine whether someone has good intentions or not without requiring more than one meeting with them or asking a few people about them.
You feel you can talk freely without fear of judgement
You know what’s going on in your head better than anyone else does, so you know exactly how to communicate with them without having to second-guess yourself or censor yourself. You know that person can understand you more than anyone else because they’ve been right there in the thick of things with you. There’s no risk of them misinterpreting your thoughts or misunderstanding you because they’ve been there too. They won’t judge your thoughts or call you names, they’ll just be there to listen and be a friend.
They make time for you in tough times
If they make time for you even when they’re busy, you know they have your back. You know they’ll always respect your time, no matter how busy they are, because they know how important it is to you. They don’t expect you to feel obligated to spend time with them because they know you’re too busy or don’t want to be around others when you’re feeling down. They know they’re the only one who can help, so they make time for you even if they don’t have to.
You always feel comfortable and safe around them
Even if you don’t feel like talking to them, you feel comfortable around them. You feel safe with them, and you feel like you can be yourself around them because they won’t judge you for it. They’re a safe person to talk to no matter what, and they won’t make you feel ashamed for who you are because they know that’s how you feel.
They listen to you with empathy and respect your boundaries
When someone truly cares about you, they’ll make a point to listen to you and understand you. They won’t judge you for the things you say, and they’ll make a point to understand why you feel the way you do. They won’t try to talk you down, they’ll try to understand why you feel the way you do and give you advice on how to move past it. They’ll respect your boundaries, and they’ll never push you past them.
They encourage you to grow as a person
If they truly care about you, they’ll encourage you to grow and develop as a person. They’ll help you identify your passions, guide you through career decisions, and help you pursue your dreams. They’ll know when to push you to do things you’re not sure about, but they’ll also know when to let you learn from your mistakes.
They make you feel seen and acknowledge your experiences
If someone is good for your mental health, they’ll make you feel seen and acknowledge your experiences. They’ll listen to you without asking you to explain yourself, and they’ll show you empathy without judging you for your actions. They’ll make you feel seen, and they’ll acknowledge your experiences without making you feel like you’re overreacting.
They are not intimidated by your growth
If someone truly cares about you, they won’t be intimidated by your growth. They’ll know that you’re trying to better yourself and they don’t have any negative judgements towards you. They’ll know that you’re working on things, whether it’s self-love, self-awareness, or learning new things, and they’ll support you through it.
They are the best critic in your life
When someone is good for your mental health and are there for you during your depressive episode, they also make sure to give you the right opinion- whether a positive one or a negative one. They do not hesitate to tell you that you are wrong when you are. They also do not hesitate or move back to celebrate your victories. Keep those people close because they are the best critic and they do not judge or put you down.
Someone can be good for your mental health even if they aren’t necessarily a close friend. Someone who can listen and offer advice is someone who genuinely cares about you and wants to see you succeed. Someone who can make you feel better when you’re feeling bad is someone who genuinely cares about you. Someone who is there for you when you need them. Someone who shows up to the things you both agree on. Having people who are good for your mental health around you is the best thing. But taking care of your own mental health is also necessary. 1 in 5 people suffer alone in depression.
Positivminds reinvents mental health and emotional wellbeing care by using data science & Artificial Intelligence in collaboration with clinicians and researchers, designers and writers with the objective to allow for proactive conversations to develop around emotional well-being