When family members prioritize their own comfort over truly supporting someone who is struggling with a mental illness, it can leave that person feeling abandoned, misunderstood, or even burdensome—a feeling no one should ever have to endure. It’s a stark reminder of how important empathy, genuine care, and shared responsibility are within families.

If your family is trying to “palm you off” onto someone else, it may stem from their discomfort in addressing your mental health needs or their inability to understand what meaningful support looks like. Unfortunately, mental health struggles can make people around us feel helpless or unsure of how to act, and sometimes they may look for an easy way out instead of stepping up in the ways we hope they would.

Here’s the thing: your mental health is not a “problem” for others to “fix” by handing you off to someone else. It’s a part of your journey, and while support systems are important, their role should be to stand by you—not to shift the responsibility to someone else.

It’s okay to feel angry, hurt, or even betrayed in moments like this. Those emotions are valid. But it’s also important to remind yourself that your worth is not tied to how much effort others are willing to put into helping you. You deserve love and care, not because you are “someone’s responsibility,” but because you are a human being deserving of dignity and respect.

If you feel up to it, consider having an honest conversation with your family about how their actions make you feel. Sometimes people don’t realize how dismissive or unkind their behavior appears. You could express what kind of support you need, whether it’s listening without judgment, helping you find resources, or simply being present. However, if they remain unwilling or unable to provide the support you deserve, it might be time to look for healthier sources of care—friends, support groups, or mental health professionals who can offer understanding without strings attached.

Remember, you are not alone in this, and there are people and communities who genuinely want to see you thrive—not just cope. You don’t have to settle for being “palmed off.” You have a right to relationships that nurture and respect your whole self.