Hi Josephine,
Sorry to hear that you're going through a hard time with your partner. From what I've learned through the forums and the experience I've recently gone through (which is somewhat similar to yours), when a person is struggling mentally, they do not wish to be a burden to others, or feels guilty about burdening others on their problems.
Your partner may feel guilty about putting you through what he's going through as well, no matter how much you want to support them. They may also feel a lack of confidence, which then causes frustration for not being able to fix themselves, and then it'll lead to disappointment, misery, sadness and unhappiness. With low self-esteem, they are incapable of loving themselves, which means they won't be able to provide the love to those who are close to them as well. They would feel they don't deserve your love at all, and that they cannot treat you (give you the love) that they feel you deserve from them.
It can be difficult to care for someone who is struggling mentally, and the best we can do is to support them gently by validating their feelings, and empathizing what they are going through. Has your partner considered getting a mental health plan from his GP?
On a positive note, your partner wants to stay exclusive with you, and doesn't want to lose you out of his life. Remember to take care of your own mental health too, as caring for someone who's struggling mentally can take a toll on your own mental health too. There may even come a time where either party will have to make a call to go separate ways, for the sake of each other's mental health. I'm hoping for the best for you and your partner.
Happy to chat more to you Josephine.
Jt
