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Friendships

Having close friendships can be very important in supporting positive mental health and well-being. Spending time with friends can help us feel good about ourselves and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Friendships are also beneficial as they give us someone to talk to. If we are feeling down, we can talk to friends to help us understand how we are feeling, or just to have someone to vent to. Spending time with our friends can also help us take our mind off of things. (young minds 2023).

When we struggle with our mental health and wellbeing, feelings or emotions, we may find it difficult to talk to our friends. Sometimes we may want to isolate ourselves from them to protect ourselves but it’s important to remember that a good friend will always stick by you.

There are some ways you can open up the conversation:

  • Pick a good time when you won’t get interrupted and find a quiet space to chat.
  • Explain how you are feeling.
  • Be clear about what you want shared. Remember, if your friend is worried that you aren’t safe, they will need to tell a trusted adult. (young minds 2023)

If you are worried about your own friend struggling with their mental health, there are ways to open up the conversation so that they feel seen and heard.

Here are some conversation starters:

  • “Hey, I’m here for you if you want to talk”
  • “You’re my mate, I’m here for you whenever”
  • “You’ve not seemed like yourself lately. How are you?”
  • “We missed you at school today. Is everything okay?”
  • “I’m worried about you. Is there anything you want to talk about?”
  • “We haven’t talked in a while. What’s been happening?”

It is difficult to know how to help someone who is going through a hard time. You may be feeling worried about what you can do, or that you aren’t doing enough but be assured, having you there for that friend may mean the world to them. You can try things like:
Finding a quiet time to talk where you won’t be interrupted by others.
Listen to them — you don’t have to have all the answers, just having someone to talk to can make a big difference.
Encourage them to get support — like talking to a trusted adult or even passing on anonymous helplines.
Comfort them — there isn’t a wrong thing to say, but assuring that person is not alone in what they are going through will really help them.
Ask them what would help — giving them a bit of control or autonomy in what they feel would help most helps give them control back in their life.
Do things you enjoy together — sometimes just doing normal things you like doing together can really help a person to feel better.
Keep in contact, be kind and be patient — make sure you check in regularly to ask how they are doing and invite them to join in.

(Taken from Mind.org.uk)

Resources & Support

Regen:fx Youth Trust
South Lanarkshire Youth Work

Videos

Supporting a friend — Chantelle

Billie Eilish On Mental Health & Friendship | Ad Council

In Our Own Words: When I talked to my Friends and Family

How we connect: Friendships | Children's Mental Health Week 2023

Bloom: Friendships and dealing with conflict

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