What to do when a friend opens up about their mental health struggles

Topics mentioned: supporting a friend with their mental health

About: We all want to be there for our friends when they need us, but what should we do if they open up to us about their mental health struggles? Laura shares her tips.

We all want to support our friends and help them in the best way possible. However, when a friend says they are currently struggling with their mental health, it can be difficult to know what to do or say.

You may be worried about upsetting them, making the situation worse or find that constantly being there for your friend is damaging to your own mental health.

Here are some tips to help you support your friend in a way that is healthy for both of you.

It's okay if you can't always be there for your friends. We all have our own life challenges and if you are currently struggling with your mental health, it may be best to not take on too many other people's problems.

If you do not feel up to it, you may want to signpost them to other people they could talk to (e.g. other friends, family members, school staff) or organisations that can help.

This sounds easy. After all, we are hearing people talk every day of our lives. However, to be a good listener, you must put all your other thoughts, worries and judgements to one side.

Try not to interrupt or rush the person talking. It’s best to have the conversation with them when you do not have somewhere to go or something to do soon after. This can add to the pressure and make them feel unheard or abandoned.

You should also try to stay calm. Though it is natural and perfectly okay to get a little upset, getting too emotional may prevent them from continuing to open up for fear of hurting you. This is why it is so important to check if you are ready to listen before you start the conversation.

Sometimes people just want to get something off their chest. Other times they want reassurance. Some people want advice or signposting. Asking your friend what they would like from you will help you to support them in the best way possible and make sure they do not leave feeling unsatisfied or frustrated.

Try to be as genuine, honest and gentle as possible when responding to your friend. In dealing with problems, it can be helpful to ask yourself these two questions:

If your friend is in danger (at risk of harming themselves or others) or you do not feel like you can deal with the problem yourself, tell a responsible adult. This could be a teacher, school nurse, youth worker or any other adult who could get in contact with your friend or find a way to help them.

If possible, let your friend know that you need to talk to an adult about this and explain why. Your friend may be reluctant and ask you not to, but, ultimately, the most important thing is to ensure they are safe (even if that involves going against their wishes). A good friend will eventually realise that you just wanted the best for them.

If you feel able to, keep asking them how they are and take the time to truly listen (repeating the cycle). Mental health problems do not go away after one conversation. They can also be incredibly isolating. Checking up on your friend can make them feel a little less alone.

Helping a friend is all about supporting them while ensuring you stay mentally healthy yourself. It doesn't matter how much you can help. If you care about your friend, you're already amazing and you're doing an amazing job.