Separation or divorce can be a life-altering experience, often triggering intense emotional and psychological challenges. Whether it’s the end of a long-term relationship or the dissolution of a marriage, the impact on your mental health can be profound. Understanding the psychological effects of separation and divorce is crucial for healing and finding balance during this difficult transition.
At Gelman & Associates, our family law lawyers understand the toll that separation and divorce can take on your mental health. Our client-focused approach means that we will be available to guide and support you every step of the way, no matter what your needs are. For assistance navigating your separation and divorce, schedule a consultation with our team today.
What Impacts Can Separation and Divorce Have on Your Mental Health?
Separation and divorce can have a large impact on your mental health and well-being. Feelings of grief, anxiety, anger, and loneliness may surface as you navigate the loss of a significant connection and the accompanying changes to your daily life.
Grief in particular can pose a significant challenge to your mental well-being. It is important to remember that when you go through a separation or divorce, you are grieving the loss of your former relationship and the loss of the future you may have envisioned for yourself. For this reason, you may experience the traditional stages of grief, including denial, anger, and depression, that people normally refer to in other areas of life. You should keep in mind that your progression through these stages may look different from your former partner’s progression. This can depend on the circumstances in which your relationship ended or whether you initiated the separation.
In addition to grief, anxiety and depression can often affect your mental health during a separation or divorce. Major life changes are often linked to increased mental health problems in men and women alike. Paired with the guilt and stigma that is often associated with the divorce process, it can be difficult to manage your thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
You should always remember that it is normal for a separation or divorce to affect your mental health. Allowing yourself to feel your emotions can be a productive way to begin the healing process. It may also be helpful to remind yourself that the reaction you are having to your significant life change is common and, often, temporary.
How to Manage Your Mental Health During Separation and Divorce
Taking steps to manage your mental health during separation and divorce is essential to navigating the emotional upheaval the experience may bring. By learning about healthy coping strategies, seeking support, and maintaining routines, you can build resilience. Some ways that you can prioritize your mental health and well-being during separation or divorce might include:
- Engaging in Self-Care: Set aside time to process the events that have occurred. When you are experiencing the separation or divorce process, it is normal to respond to stressors in ways you do not recognize. Engage in activities, hobbies, or routines that make you feel happy and relieve stress, like exercise or socialization.
- Connecting With Mental Health Resources: There is a huge variety of high-quality, free resources that exist to help people cope with the end of their relationship. Although the financial constraints of a divorce can be challenging, you can decide on the amount you feel comfortable investing in different mental health tools.
- Speaking to Somebody: Whether it is a professional or a trusted person in your life, it can be helpful to get your feelings off your chest when undergoing a significant life change. By doing so, you can address any underlying issues that may be affecting your mental health and begin the healing process.
Remember that everybody progresses through the process of separation or divorce at different rates. If you are struggling with your mental health, there are steps you can take to help alleviate the stress, depression, or anxiety you may be feeling.
How Can You Help Your Child Cope With Your Divorce?
Not only can separation or divorce affect parental mental health, but it can also impact the mental health of children. It is important to remember that your child is also grieving a loss in the same way that you may be.
Some parents struggle with addressing the separation or divorce when it is time to tell their child. In general, it is normally helpful to validate your child’s feelings, whatever they may be. In addition, it is important to stay child-focused and leave your former partner out of any negative conversations around your child. This way, your child knows they can rely on you for support regardless of their relationship with their other parent.
There is a large variety of mental health resources available to children coping with the separation or divorce of their parents. Depending on the stage and age of development of your child, you can connect with different professionals. Child-specific therapists, social workers, and psychologists may be of help to both you and your child while navigating your transition.
The Impacts of Mental Health on Parenting Plans and Decision-Making Responsibility
Although it is common for mental health to be impacted during separation or divorce, a person’s mental state may also have an impact on the legal proceedings they are involved in. This is especially true when it comes to decision-making responsibility or parenting time, as the child’s best interests always come first. In the case that a person’s mental health has affected their ability to keep their child or others around them safe, a court may rule on decision-making responsibility (formerly custody) or parenting time arrangements accordingly. Conduct that may be deemed harmful might include hostile, erratic, or abusive behaviour.
However, if you can prove to a court that you are taking steps to manage your mental health, you can lessen its impact on the legal outcome of your case. For example, you can provide evidence that you are actively seeking support, treatment, or mental health resources to cope with what you are experiencing. If you have been diagnosed with a mental illness, remaining medication-compliant and following up with your doctors can also be helpful. These actions prove to legal authorities that your mental health will not affect the well-being of your child or others.
Every person struggles during a separation or divorce and can experience an effect on their mental health. Overall, if your mental health has not progressed to the point where your children are endangered, then it is likely that it will not have an impact on your parenting time or decision-making responsibility in the eyes of the court.
Contact Our Family Law Lawyers Today for a Consultation
Dealing with a separation or divorce is not easy. When you have to navigate accompanying legal procedures at the same time, it can be ten times harder. It is important to remember that you are not alone if you are struggling. There are resources available to help you cope, whatever your personal process looks like. With the help of a compassionate and attentive family lawyer, your mental health can come first during your divorce proceedings.
At Gelman & Associates, our experienced family law lawyers take pride in the care we show for our clients. We can help you mitigate the stress and anxiety of navigating your divorce or separation. Have questions about the process? Contact us today for a consultation.
Disclaimer: For specific legal advice on your family law matter, please consult with a family law lawyer. The content in this article is not intended to act as legal advice and is instead intended to act as a general overview of a legal topic.
