FIVE WAYS TO SHOW UP FOR A FRIEND
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON LEVEL21
Listen
If there is a person who trusts you enough to open up to you, treasure it. When they are opening up, It's best to allow them to speak without judgment and to refrain from sharing your input. They will see your empathy & will be able to arrive at their solution. Even if they ask for your advice, it's essential to recognize that a suitable solution for you in a specific scenario may not necessarily be an ideal solution for someone else.
2. Reach Out
Checking in with someone can be a source of support. It is vital to show your loved ones that they are not alone & that they have a support system. A simple text to check in speaks volumes. It shows that you are thinking about them and you care and that you support them.
3. Validate their feelings
Validating the feelings of a person with a mental illness can help the individual feel understood. You shouldn't dismiss what your loved one is going through. Often random things can trigger your mental illness. These triggers might seem irrelevant, overdramatic, or not such a big deal in the context of other individuals' lives, but it has a significant impact on our mental health. Comments like 'snap out of it, "It's not such a big deal, & 'cheer up' make individuals feel like we do matter. When you validate our feelings, you enforce that it is okay for us to feel them for whatever reasons, and it is okay to ask for help and work through them.
4. Don't give up on them
I know it can be hard to love someone with a mental illness. We are trying.
5. Speak up if you think they might be at risk for self-harm
It's okay to share with your friend that you are concerned about them. You are not betraying our trust by telling someone. If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text HELLO to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.
