How To Respond To Family Members Who Don't Believe In Mental Health or Mental Health Treatment

Here are some scripts for interacting with family members who don’t believe in mental health or mental health treatment. As always, you can only control what you say and how you say it. You cannot control how the other person responds. Sometimes, it’s ok to walk away and refrain from trying to convince the other person.

When a Family Member Dismisses Mental Health Issues

“Depression isn’t real. You just need to toughen up.”

• "Resilience is important, and depression is real. I’m very glad I got treatment for my symptoms."

When They Tell You Therapy is Useless

“Why would you talk to a stranger about your problems? Just pray about it.”

• "I’m glad that prayer helps you. Therapy gives me tools to manage my emotions and navigate life. This is what works best for me."

When They Say Medication is a Sign of Weakness

“You don’t need pills. In my day, people didn’t need all this stuff to function.”

• "People still struggled with their mental health back then. If someone has diabetes, they take insulin. If someone has high blood pressure, they take medication. Mental health is no different."
• "I know you see it that way. My treatment is between me and my doctor.”

When They Tell You to "Just Get Over It"

“You just need to stop thinking about it and move on.”

• "There’s a lot of research that ignoring things doesn’t work."
• "I’m glad that approach works for. It’s not for me."

When They Shame You for Setting Boundaries

“You used to be so much easier to talk to. Therapy is making you selfish.”

• "I know I’ve changed. Therapy has helped me understand what I need to be healthy."

When They Think Mental Health Struggles are Just Laziness

“You just need to work harder and stop being so dramatic.”

"Mental health struggles aren’t about laziness. It doesn’t just disappear because someone tells me to work harder."

When They Try to Guilt You Into Stopping Treatment

“You never used to need therapy before. You’ve changed.”

• "I have changed. That’s a good thing."
• "I’m happy with the changes I’ve made.”

When They Make Fun of Your Mental Health

“Oh, I guess we all have to walk on eggshells around you now because you’re ‘anxious’.’”

• "Joking about my mental health isn’t helpful. If you want to ask me questions about my anxiety and what upsets me, I’m open to that.”
• "If you can’t have a conversation without making fun of me, maybe we shouldn’t be having this conversation."
• "I’m not asking you to walk on eggshells; I’m asking you to be respectful.”