Do you want to support a friend who is dealing with
depression or another
mental health issue, but feel unsure about what to do? Here are some helpful ideas to think about:
- Your friend may be afraid to say that she is in trouble or is feeling badly.
- Tell your friend how much you care and that you’re there to listen – without judgment.
- Reassure your friend that he’s not alone and that help is available. You might offer to help your friend take the next step by talking to an adult he trusts like a parent, teacher, guidance counselor, family doctor, or other adult who can make sure he gets the help he needs from a professional who works with young people who are feeling down. This type of person is called a mental health specialist and may be a counselor, psychologist, social worker, or psychiatrist.
- If your friend doubts the decision to get help, remind her that it takes a lot of courage to seek help and that like other illnesses, mental health illnesses can be treated, and she can feel better and enjoy her life more again.
Sometimes when a person is suffering from depression it can feel so awful that he or she may think the only way out is to end his or her life. We know that people who are depressed or who have other mental health problems are in danger of committing suicide. If a friend talks about suicide or you think your friend may be thinking about harming or killing himself, don’t try to take matters into your own hands. Your friend needs professional help right away. Seek help from a trusted adult such as a parent who can make sure that your friend is safe and gets the right help. Don’t try to get help for your friend on your own – this is way too much for one person to handle. Also, don’t wait for your friend to seek help; there may be many reasons that he’s unable to do so. People who are depressed or suicidal often have very low energy and feel hopeless about themselves and the future. They feel bad about themselves and think people may be better off without them or that it’s their fault. They may no longer believe that they can be helped or that things can get better. They need other people to reach out and help them get to the right place.
It’s normal to feel that maybe you’re overreacting or that you’ll be betraying your friend if you talk to an adult, but this is absolutely not true. By trusting your instincts and getting help from a responsible adult, you are doing the best thing you can for your friend – and possibly saving a life.
SOURCES: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; National Institute of Mental Health