64 Interviews With People Who've Been Helped By Social support

We have interviewed 64 people who have overcome struggles with the help of social support from others. These stories show that friends, family and colleagues are vital to overcoming struggles of mental health.

Most recent stories of people helped by the support of others

From Drama Addiction to Healing: A Psychologist’s Journey of Self-Discovery

From Drama Addiction to Healing: A Psychologist’s Journey of Self-Discovery

February 6, 2025
Helped by: Mindfulness, Self-awareness, Social support, Therapy
Breaking the Cycle of Fear and Avoidance: My Path to Managing Social Anxiety

Breaking the Cycle of Fear and Avoidance: My Path to Managing Social Anxiety

December 5, 2024
Helped by: Journaling, Meditation, Mindfulness, Social support
How Volunteering and Self-Acceptance Helped Me Rebuild My Mental Health

How Volunteering and Self-Acceptance Helped Me Rebuild My Mental Health

November 28, 2024
Helped by: Self-acceptance, Social support, Volunteering

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Are you looking for stories on the social support of others?

I’ve interviewed 64 people who have been helped by support of others, and here are the top 5 struggles that these people have overcome:

  1. Depression (31 posts)
  2. Anxiety (30 posts)
  3. Suicidal (15 posts)
  4. Panic attacks (12 posts)
  5. Childhood trauma (12 posts)

In our many years of publishing helpful mental health content, we always received questions from our readers about specific situations. While we have a lot of helpful tips to share on how to be happier, we simply can’t offer advice for every situation.

That’s why I’ve set out to interview folks with every type of mental health struggle. My job as an interviewer is to categorize these interviews and present them in a way that is most helpful to our readers.

Read all the case studies

Scott Lyons Interview Featured Image

Case studies

From Drama Addiction to Healing: A Psychologist’s Journey of Self-Discovery

“In those times, I became a master of disguise, adept at hiding the turmoil beneath a veneer of composure. To the outside world, I appeared to be navigating life with ease, but inside, there was a cacophony of emotions I kept tightly guarded. It was a delicate dance of maintaining appearances while wrestling with an internal chaos that threatened to spill over at any moment.”

Struggled with:
Addiction

Helped by:
Mindfulness
Self-awareness

Therapy

Sravya Attaluri Interview Featured Image

Case studies

Breaking the Cycle of Fear and Avoidance: My Path to Managing Social Anxiety

“I’ve always been good at putting on a brave face, especially at work-related events, so most people had no idea I was struggling. But inside, the anxiety would build up, and I often felt so overwhelmed that I had to leave early or run out after only a short time. Eventually, my anxiety reached a point where I’d either cancel last minute or break down in tears before even getting to the event.”

Struggled with:
Anxiety
Panic attacks

Helped by:
Journaling
Meditation
Mindfulness

Cody Mackall Interview Featured Image 1

Case studies

How Volunteering and Self-Acceptance Helped Me Rebuild My Mental Health

“For the longest time, I tried to keep it to myself. I felt this need to stay strong, to keep up the front, especially because people around me relied on me. I worried that showing what I was going through would let others down or make them see me differently. So, I put on a brave face, thinking I could power through on my own.”

Struggled with:
Anxiety
Depression
Suicidal

Helped by:
Self-acceptance

Volunteering

Pam Verner Interview Featured Image 1

Case studies

From Overwhelmed and Lost to Grounded and Supported: My Mental Health Journey

“After a while, I decided to try psychotherapy. But eventually the therapist used sexual abuse as his “therapeutic intervention,” and my suicidal desires came back in full force. I lived on the sharp edges of suicide for several years. The only thing that stopped me from taking my own life was my love for my children.”

Struggled with:
Abuse
Grief
Suicidal

Helped by:
Self-awareness

Therapy

Jason Morehouse Interview Featured Image

Case studies

A Formal Diagnosis Inspired my Passion to Tackle Mental Healthcare Access For Everyone

“The turning point came when I received my diagnosis at the specialized treatment facility. I reached a point where I needed clarity about my situation, so I took the necessary steps to take time away from family and company to pursue those answers. My time at the facility and finally understanding what was happening to me gave me a sense of relief and validation.”

Struggled with:
ADHD
Anxiety
CPTSD
Panic attacks

Helped by:

Therapy

Jennifer Silver Interview Featured Image

Case studies

My Journey of Overcoming Postpartum Depression and an Eating Disorder

“I was concerned about how my struggles might affect others’ perceptions of me and my competence as a mother and professional. This led me to mask my feelings and put on a brave face, even when I was feeling my lowest. Seeking help was a pivotal moment, but until then, I often felt like I had to navigate these challenges alone, despite the support and understanding that others might have been willing to offer.”

Struggled with:
Eating disorder
Postpartum depression

Helped by:

Therapy

Connor McKemey Interview Featured Image

Case studies

Finding Happiness and Self-Love After Escaping Death From Burning 90% Of My Body

“It was like starting life over again, except you know how to do things you physically can’t do, which emotionally drains you. There was definitely a sense of resentment and feeling sorry for myself, I think that is natural. You wonder what you did to deserve that, you wonder if things are ever going to get better, you wonder how people will treat you. When you are confined to a bed for weeks on end, really all you can do is wonder.”

Struggled with:
Physical trauma

Helped by:
Self-improvement