How to Help Someone When They’re Down

2026-07-16

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We all want to help the people we love, but when someone is struggling, knowing what to say or do isn’t always easy.In this episode, host and licensed therapist Sreela Roy-Greene sits down the BetterHelp therapist Hannah Heitz to explore how to support someone through a difficult time without trying to “fix” them. Drawing on insights from BetterHelp’s latest State of Stigma report, the two discuss why so many people still hesitate to seek how, how to recognize the subtle signs that someone may be struggling, and why simply showing...

We all want to help the people we love, but when someone is struggling, knowing what to say or do isn’t always easy.

In this episode, host and licensed therapist Sreela Roy-Greene sits down the BetterHelp therapist Hannah Heitz to explore how to support someone through a difficult time without trying to “fix” them. Drawing on insights from BetterHelp’s latest State of Stigma report, the two discuss why so many people still hesitate to seek how, how to recognize the subtle signs that someone may be struggling, and why simply showing up with curiosity, compassion and consistency can make all the difference.

00:00 Opening Story: “How Have I Waited This Long to Get Help?”

00:32 Why It's So Hard to Ask for Help

03:02 Why We Believe in Therapy—but Avoid It Ourselves

04:05 How to Support Someone Who May Be Struggling

06:06 Recognizing the Signs of Emotional Distress

09:07 Why Anger Can Mask Deeper Emotions

10:33 Supporting Without Trying to Fix

13:43 What Not to Say to Someone Who's Struggling

16:02 How Mental Health Stigma Is Changing

20:44 What Starting Therapy Really Feels Like

21:34 It's Never Too Late to Seek Help

22:57 Final Reflections on Support, Stigma, and Showing Up