Quite often with lots of things with mental health, it is hard to get others to understand what you mean. A friend of mine recently said about the differences between mental and physical health. Everyone can see a broken leg, most people have had at least a bad ankle, so can relate to the difficulties it may cause someone.
The problem with mental health is you can't see it, and most of the time words are not able to convey exactly what it is you are experiencing. For starters we all have different ways of expressing ourselves, and words we may choose may not translate well to the other person. A lot of people would consider a mental health crisis as one of the extreme examples, such as a huge outburst, uncontrollable screaming and shouting, or physical harm against people or their environment, including harm to themselves.
But there are a whole load of stages way before this for many, which feel internally just as painful and upsetting, but are completely invisible to others. Use of common phrases like "feeling anxious" or "so depressed" in society in general dilute the intensity of the language people in crisis can use. "Feeling anxious" about a first date, is not the same as feeling anxious about walking outside and getting some shopping. Hiding as you walk up the road in case you see someone you know, wearing sunglasses on an overcast day to avoid eye contact and so on. So please be aware there is a difference to general feelings, and actual conditions which really over exaggerate those feelings, all day, every day.
So, the analogy.
When you first start to feel a bit off, like something isn't quite right, it is only normal to mask them, and hide the issues, like nothing is wrong. Human nature kicks in, and we limp on with our day. But then it gets a bit worse, and people start to notice you are limping. This is where the analogy comes in.
If you had to carry a large box through a public area, people will see you carrying it. If you start to struggle with it, most will look on, some will mock, others look away to avoid feeling uncomfortable with not helping you. But one or two people might come over and offer help with it. Generally you will politely decline their offer of help, insisting you are OK. Even though the box is slipping, you limp on and fight to stay in control and not drop the box.
If you see someone who knows you, and they offer help, pride will dictate you still decline their offer of help, you can do it, right? Some friends will push back and insist on helping, others will respect your answer. There is no right or wrong answer at this point, people who know you and care will always try and do what is right for you.
When the friend offers help, it can go one of two ways, accept the help, or "stay proud". Sometimes their push back is all you needed to make you swallow your pride, accept their help, and save your back from breaking. Other times their push back can strengthen your determination to prove to everyone you CAN do it, and in the process cause yourself a world of pain.
My point here is, that in the right frame of mind, accepting help when others around you notice you need it is a good thing. It saves further damage, shares the burden, and gains you support on your journey with the box. Turning that help down can end in all sorts of different ways, from dropping the box and smashing the contents, to achieving your stubborn goal, but crippling yourself in the process.
If you see someone struggling with a box, lend a hand if you think you can be of help. If you think it would be too heavy for you, maybe find another way to help, get a metaphorical trolley? If they decline the help, give a little push back "I don't mind, really".. But no harder, just in case you cause them to prove their point.
On the other side, if you are the one struggling with the box, put your pride aside, and if you are able to, accept a hand with it, lighten the load, and get to where you are going in a better state.
It may or may not make sense, but what I am trying to get across is carrying a box can sometimes take two or more people. Watching others struggle is plain mean, and struggling alone for the sake of pride just isn't worth it.