Supporting Mental Health: How to Recognise the Signs and Offer Real Help

While it’s easy to look back and think ‘we should have noticed something sooner’, the more helpful question is: what can we do now?

That’s where conversations like this matter.

On Hope Breakfast, hosts Brendan and Danniebelle sat down with clinical psychologist Valerie Ling from the Centre for Effective Living to talk through how to recognise when someone might be struggling and what meaningful support can actually look like in everyday life.

The discussion was sparked in part by recent events in professional sport, including the AFL, where mental health challenges among athletes have again highlighted how widespread and complex these issues can be.

Mental health concerns are affecting Australians across all demographics.

As ABC News has previously reported, mental health concerns are affecting Australians across all demographics, reinforcing the importance of early support and open conversations.

Listening matters more than fixing

In a culture that often prioritises solutions, it can feel uncomfortable to simply sit with someone’s pain. But support doesn’t always mean solving the problem.

Sometimes, the most helpful thing you can offer is your presence.

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Letting someone speak, acknowledging their feelings and reminding them they matter can go a long way. As Ms Ling puts it, it’s about communicating: “You are important to me. What you’re experiencing is important”.

That sense of being seen and heard can be a powerful first step towards healing.

Letting someone speak, acknowledging their feelings and reminding them they matter can go a long way.

When to encourage extra support

There may come a point where a conversation on its own isn’t enough.

If someone seems overwhelmed, stuck, or at risk, gently encouraging professional support is an important next step. This might include speaking with a GP, a counsellor, or reaching out to a trusted support service.

Ms Ling recommends approaching this collaboratively. Rather than directing, invite them into the process.

“Would it help if we looked into some options together?” is a simple way to offer support without pressure.

You might sit with them while they make a call, help them find information online, or even accompany them to an appointment if they’re comfortable.

Acting when it matters most

In more serious situations, where you’re concerned about someone’s immediate safety, it’s important not to step back too quickly.

“If you walk away… you’re not really sure if they will be safe,” Ms Ling said.

This could mean staying with them, contacting a trusted family member, or seeking urgent professional help. While these moments can feel confronting, they are also where support matters most.

Supporting someone through mental health challenges doesn’t require perfect words or professional training. It starts with noticing, asking, listening and being willing to stay present.

A culture of care starts with us

Supporting someone through mental health challenges doesn’t require perfect words or professional training. It starts with noticing, asking, listening and being willing to stay present.

For a community like ours, that values hope, connection and practical care, these small actions can make a significant difference.

And while we can’t control everything someone is going through, we can make sure they don’t have to face it alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a friend or Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 for support.

Listen to the full interview with Centre for Effective Living clinical psychologist Valerie Ling in the player above.

This article was prepared with AI assistance and then carefully reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by our Digital Team.

Feature image: Canva Pro