The teenage years are when a lot of mental health problems show up. And teens tend to turn to their friends rather than parents for support.
You can help by just listening and saying something like: “That sounds really hard.” Listening is an important way to show that you care.
Sometimes getting your friend involved in something social and fun can help. This is especially true if your friend is going through something like a breakup. Being with other people instead of alone is good for them. But they may be too depressed to join in when you ask, and that’s okay too. Just keep asking.
If their feelings of depression or anxiety go on for weeks, it may be time to tell your parents or theirs. That’s hard to do if you feel like you’re going behind your friend’s back. But if you think they’ve got an eating disorder or another serious problem, then they need more help than you can give. And if they start talking about hurting themselves or dying, you need to tell an adult right away.
Sometimes friends who are hurting ask too much without even knowing it. It’s not your job to be there for them 24/7. And you don’t have to feel guilty if things in your life are good. If the stress of helping your friend is making you depressed or anxious, that’s a big sign that an adult needs to step in.
We rely on our friends for a lot of things, and that definitely includes providing emotional support when things are difficult. So it makes sense that teenagers struggling with mental health challenges would turn to their friends to vent, unload, and ask for backup.
But it can be difficult to figure out when a friend who is feeling down or anxious is just moody and when it’s something more. It’s hard to know when all you need to do is listen, when to say something, and what to say. It’s especially hard to decide when you should bring it to the attention of an adult, and how to do that without breaking your friend’s trust.
Depression and bipolar disorder affect nearly 15 percent of teens and one in three teens will meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder by the time they’re 18, so negative feelings, when they last a long time or are overwhelming, are nothing to be dismissive of.
“I have a number of students who come to me and the presenting problem of the day might not be their own symptoms,” says Lindsay Macchia, PhD, an associate psychologist at the Child Mind Institute. “It really is impacting them so much to have to feel responsible for their friends as well.”
Dr. Macchia says that this can take on different forms, from a friend going through a bad breakup to a conflict among friends to self-harm or even suicidal ideation. She says that young adults often need an emotional outlet but aren’t comfortable going to adults. “Rather than going to a parent who they think might get upset or scared,” she explains, “they turn to their friend instead.”
How to be a good friend to someone who is struggling
Validate what they’re saying. People want to feel heard, especially when they are struggling with difficult emotions or experiences that might make them feel very alone. You don’t have to pretend you are feeling the same way as your friend. Just listening non-judgmentally and saying, “That sounds hard” can help. “Validation communicates to another person that their emotions make sense given the context they are in,” explains Dr. Macchia. “Even if you have never been in that particular situation or felt an emotion quite as strongly, validating your friend shows that this is not an ‘overreaction’ or an ‘underreaction.’ It is how they feel and that is perfectly acceptable. ”
Ask how you can help. It shows you care, and helps take some of the guesswork away. What your friend has to say might surprise you. If they don’t have an answer ready, asking might encourage them to start thinking proactively.
Be understanding of their limitations. For example, if your friend is depressed, don’t expect them to go out with you every time you invite them. But do keep asking, and let them know that their company is valued.
Don’t gossip. It is often very difficult for people to open up about mental health challenges. If a friend confides in you, respect their trust and don’t share more than they would want. Know that it is okay to go to an adult for help if your friend needs it, however.
Change the subject. Listening is important, but sometimes so is providing some welcome distraction. All of your conversations don’t need to be about your friend’s mental health. Sharing what is going on with your life, talking about something you’re both interested in, or taking a break and going for a walk or doing yoga together might make them feel good.
“Engaging in positive, pleasant activities (even when your friend may not be sure they want to!) can boost their mood as well,” notes Dr. Macchia. “Whether anxiety, depression, or another emotion is causing your friend to want to withdraw, getting them to participate in energizing or fun activities is a great way to support them.”
What you don’t need to do:
Be available 24/7
Put yourself in danger to watch over your friend
Feel guilty if things are going well for you
Stay in a relationship that’s no longer working for you
Remember that you are never solely responsible for another person’s mental health. You might feel responsible, and your friend might even be making you feel like you are the only one who understands and can help, but that isn’t true. There are professionals who have been trained in helping people with mental health challenges, and sometimes as a friend the best thing you can do is step back so that your friend can start getting help from one of them.
One final note on this subject: If a friend (or romantic partner or ex) is threatening to hurt themselves or you because of something that you do, immediately tell an adult. You can’t provide the assistance that they need, even if you want to.
When to turn to an adult
If you have a friend unloading some heavy stuff on you, it can be tricky to know when it might be time to turn to an adult — whether it’s a school counselor or a parent — for support. As a rule, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Dr. Macchia says to look for a few signs:
If there are any concerns about safety whatsoever, go to an adult. If your friend is hurting themselves, talking about hurting themselves, or showing signs that they might hurt others, then it’s important to seek help.
If you believe a friend has developed an eating disorder, it’s urgent that they get help, because eating disorders are a serious health threat, and the longer you have one, the harder it is to recover.
If a friend seems to be experiencing a psychotic break — they have hallucinations or beliefs that aren’t realistic — they need help immediately, before they hurt themselves.
If the situation feels more adult than you should be dealing with, it’s probably time to consult a grown-up. “Any sort of gut feeling, any reaction you have that this doesn’t feel right, I might be too young for this information — or maybe there should be another person here who should be taking a part of this responsibility — then it’s important to go to someone at school or directly to the teen’s parents,” says Dr. Macchia.
If your mental health is being impacted by the weight of this friendship then you should talk to an adult. Whether you feel increased anxiety, are showing signs of depression, or are considering self-harm yourself, it’s definitely time to get help for both yourself and your friend.
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
One of the biggest barriers to seeking help can be a fear of betraying a friend who has trusted you with sensitive information. “There’s a way to go about it without tattling,” assures Dr. Macchia. “It’s all about openness and honesty.” Some things to keep in mind as you broach the subject with your friend:
Share why you feel it’s time to bring in a grown-up. Let them know why you are concerned, and that you feel it’s time to seek additional support — because you care.
Depending on the situation, Dr. Macchia says it might be helpful or appropriate to offer to be there for the conversation with the adult. “I don’t want teens to ever feel like they have to do this,” reiterates Dr. Macchia, “but depending on the case they may say I feel like I can support my friend and also be a buffer and have that conversation as well.”
Dr. Macchia notes that it may be especially tricky if your friend with mental health challenges asks you not to tell an adult, even after you have explained your concerns and reasoning for wanting to. “This can be extremely tough, and of course you would want to preserve your friendship as best as you can,” she says. “That being said, however, your friend’s safety and wellbeing comes first.”
If you are having a hard time, Dr. Macchia recommends trying some self-validation. “Remind yourself that it makes sense to feel worried about your friend’s reaction to you telling an adult, and yet you are doing what you feel is best for them, for yourself, and for your relationship in the long run,” she says.
The importance of self-care
It’s easy to get caught up in a friend’s problems, but there’s a fine line between being a supportive pal and it going too far. If you’ve become “parentified,” as Dr. Macchia says, or feel like you’re a therapist, it may have crossed a line; it can feel a crushing amount of responsibility.
“On one hand is concern and worry and sadness about what’s going on in your friend’s life,” says Dr. Macchia, “but also there can be an impact in terms of taking on another person’s symptoms as well.” You might find yourself adopting some of their feelings or unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Whether you are the sounding board for some serious stuff or are just on the receiving end of a lot of drama, it can be wearing, so it’s important to make time for self-care. If you are feeling symptoms of anxiety, depression, are withdrawing from activities you usually enjoy, or are thinking of harming yourself, it’s worth seeking professional help. You can speak confidentially about what’s going on and your clinician can help guide you and share helpful coping skills. Talking to your parents can also be helpful.
Most importantly, Dr. Macchia advises teens to “turn your attention to things that bring you joy.” She says if you love dancing, then keep dancing. Things like yoga, going for a run, getting a massage, or even shopping are all contenders for self-care — whatever makes you happy.
Because in the end it’s important to be a good friend, but if you’re not taking care of yourself it’s hard to take care of anyone else.
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James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
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