For the Person Who Is Always "The Strong One"
It is important to remember that strength and struggle can exist at the same time.
🤎 You can be successful and still be depressed.
🤎 You can love your family and still need support.
🤎 You can be strong and still need someone to hold space for you.
🤎 Asking for help doesn't mean you've failed.
🤎 It means you're human.
For women of color and other BIPOC individuals, emotional distress can sometimes be complicated by cultural expectations, stigma around therapy, discrimination, family pressures, or the feeling that we have to be strong for everyone else. But you don't have to carry that weight alone. And supporting someone who is struggling doesn't require having all the answers. Culturally responsive mental health care at IPCG can help.
When The Strong One is Struggling Too
You or your loved one may be:
Pulling away from family or friends
Feeling increasingly hopeless or overwhelmed
Saying they feel like a burden
Losing interest in things they usually enjoy
Experiencing significant changes in sleep or mood
Talking about wanting to disappear, die, or not wake up
Giving away belongings or saying unusual goodbyes
You don't have to wait until you're certain something is wrong to check in or reach out.
It's Okay to Talk About Suicide
Sometimes, the person who needs to be checked on is the one everyone assumes is doing just fine.
🤎 She’s the one who shows up.
🤎 The one who takes care of everyone else.
🤎 The one who says, “I’m good,” even when she isn't.
When someone has always been “the strong one,” it can be easy to mistake their strength for wellness. That’s why it’s okay to ask.
Many people worry that bringing up suicide will make things worse or put the idea in someone’s head. Asking directly does not cause someone to become suicidal. Instead, it can create space for an honest conversation.
You might say: "I've noticed you've been carrying a lot lately. How are you really doing?"
Or: "You’re always there for everyone else. Who is there for you? Have you been having thoughts about hurting yourself or not wanting to be here?"
You don't have to have the perfect words. Start with listening.
Sometimes, supporting the strong one simply means reminding her:
“You don't have to be strong with me.”
And sometimes, that invitation to be honest is where help begins.
When Professional Support Is Needed
If someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts, don't try to handle the situation by yourself. Encourage them to connect with a mental health professional or crisis resource. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing thoughts of suicide:
Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Call 911 if there is an immediate emergency.
Go to the nearest emergency department.
Visit ADAMH Emergency Services
Go to Nationwide Children’s Behavioral Health Emergency Department
Contact Dublin Springs at (614) 717-1800
Contact SUN Behavioral Health at (614) 706-2786
Stay with the person and help connect them with immediate support.
For those who are not in immediate crisis, therapy can provide a space to explore what's underneath the overwhelm—without judgment and without requiring you to leave your culture, identity, or lived experience at the door. If you're looking for culturally responsive, compassionate therapy in Columbus, Ohio, Inspiring Purpose Counseling Group is here to help. Connect with an IPCG therapist today.
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