YES SBLSD Summer Newsletter July 2022

How to Support a Friend who is Struggling with their Mental Health

1. Validate their feelings: You can’t always understand what another person is going through or how they’re feeling, but what you can do is spend some time listening and acknowledging their feelings when
   they’re going through a hard time.
2. Ask them what you can do to help: Support looks different for everyone. Try asking your friend “What can I do to support you right now?”
3. Check in: Sometimes it’s hard for people to reach out when they’re struggling. Try reaching out to your friend and checking-in regularly to let them know that you’re there for them and you care.
4. Don’t forget to take care of yourself: When you see people you care about struggling, sometimes it can bring up difficult feelings for yourself. Make sure that you’re taking time to take care of yourself and do things that bring you joy.
5. Keep it private: Talking about your mental health isn’t always easy to do. Recognize that what your friend may be telling you is sensitive information and don’t share it with others. Keep reading for some information about when it’s important to tell someone.

Wait…but should I tell an adult?

There are times when it’s important to share information with an adult even if your friend doesn’t want you to. If someone is sharing information with you that is related to harming themselves or harming others or you’re concerned for your friend’s safety, you should always share this information with a trusted adult (parent, teacher, counselor, etc.) It’s not always easy to tell an adult if your friend is asking you not to, but safety always comes first. Try letting your friend know that you understand that they don’t want you tell anyone, but you care about them and their safety is important to you.