How Can I Help My Friend

Other people that visited the help pages,
also visited Coping Tools

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REACH OUT and GIVE HELP by…

Listening without judging. Ask what is happening, how they are feeling, & what they are doing.
Ask them if they are thinking of hurting themselves or killing themselves. Using the words will not cause them to think or do anything to harm themselves.
Do not swear to secrecy, even if they ask you to. It is better to have a living friend who is mad at you, then the memory of a dead friend with whom you could no longer have a relationship.
Invite them to talk to other friends or trusted adults. Keeping someone safe is a task for many.
Ask them what they can do for themselves to relieve the sadness or pain. What works for them? Encourage them to do it or do it with them.
Find a way to share some humour. Rent a funny movie & watch it together. Introduce them to your favourite funny T. V. program. Laughing ‘til you cry is a sure fire stress reliever. For more coping ideas go to Toolbox or send them an ecard with a supportive message.
If none of this works, or if it becomes clear to you that these things are not enough to keep your friend safe, then…

REACH OUT and GET HELP, for them by

Contacting your local crisis service, talk to their friends parents or brothers/sisters, talk to a Guidance Counsellor, talk to your/their family Doctor. Ask for help in helping them.
If you just require more information, check our website for more ideas & resources. Also, you will find listings in the phone book under mental health for additional local resources.

If your friend appears to be in immediate risk of harming themselves for instance, if they have a plan put in place, have the means to do it and if they have tried before, get them to a hospital emergency department immediately. If they refuse you may need to call 911 or your local emergency response team.

REMEMBER, this is someone you care about, who may not be thinking clearly at this time. They may resist your efforts now, but later, when the crisis has passed, they will be alive to thank you.

Reach out… get help… give help!

mindyourmind.ca attended the first annual YouthCAN, "Setting up for Success " conference in the summer of 2007. Here youth attended seminars encouraging youth to strengthen friendship and work together to continue advocacy for change. What advice did they have for youth going through a tough time? The attendees gave us their recommendations.

These are the questions we asked them:
1. What advice would you give to a friend going through a tough time?
2. How have you helped a friend?