mental health in relationships

One of the most confusing things to deal with is being deeply loved while still feeling deeply unwell, so what are you actually supposed to do? I think this is interesting because if you are in a healthy relationship but struggling with depression, is breaking up the only way to protect your partner, or can you stay and work on yourself at the same time? It's easy to fall into the mindset that leaving is the “right” thing to do, especially when guilt starts telling you they deserve someone happier, someone easier, someone who does not carry this weight but is that really true, or is that just the depression speaking for you? Because the reality is depression is not caused by your partner, and it will not automatically disappear if you are alone. So then the question becomes, can a relationship actually be part of your healing instead of something that is holding you back? Think about shows like Friends, where everything seems light and full of love, but each character still deals with their own internal struggles. The relationships do not fix everything, but they do offer support, comfort, and moments of relief. Maybe that is what a healthy relationship can be during a hard time, not a cure, but a steady presence. Still, it is not always simple. Can you show up for them while you are trying to hold yourself together? Do you need space, or do you need support? There is no one answer, and maybe that is the hardest part. But maybe the better question is not should I leave, maybe it is what do I need to start feeling okay, and can this relationship grow with me while I figure that out?