How to help yourself
Maybe some of these signs of emotional pain sounded familiar. Maybe none of them did, but you’ve been feeling down, sad, or anxious a lot of the time, for a long time. Maybe you’re facing a big problem or going through a hard time. Please realize that you are not alone.
One out of three people will experience a major depression, and everyone will struggle with large problems at some point in their lives. Also, know that feeling depressed, upset or suicidal doesn’t mean that you are weak or sick or broken. You don’t have to feel this way forever.
People deal with depression and suicidal feelings in many ways. Some people choose to:
1. Talk with someone close to them, or a trusted adult. Sometimes an outside person can see aspects of a situation that the person dealing with the situation might have overlooked. And besides, it can feel very good to finally talk about feelings that have been building up inside.
2. Talk with a professional, such as a counselor, therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist or professionally-led support group.
3. Express themselves through physical exercise, art, acting, writing, music, sports, hobbies etc. Like talking, these are ways people can manage negative feelings.
How to help a friend
1. Directly ask your friend if he’s feeling depressed. Ask if he has thought about hurting himself. Let your friend know that you won't freak out or judge what he has to say.
2. Don't promise to keep your friend’s secret.
You could save her life by getting help. Ask if your friend will go with you to talk to an adult about her feelings. Get help together!
3. If your friend is in serious trouble, and refuses to get help, go to an adult yourself. Suicide is serious, donÂ’t keep this a secret.
4. If your friend has taken pills, poison, has a gun or is planning to kill herself NOW. Call 911. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY. You must take action to save her life.
5. If you you want to talk about a friend in trouble, call San Francisco Suicide Prevention at (415) 781-0500. They'll help you figure out what to do. You don't have to be suicidal yourself to call a Suicide Prevention hotline.
How to tell a friend is hurting
Sometimes when friends are feeling depressed or suicidal, they don’t just come out and tell you that they are in emotional pain. Watch for these warning signs that your friend may need help.
- She says things like, “I’m such a loser!” “I’m going away.” “I just want to die.”
- He used to hang out with friends, now he spends a
lot of time alone.
- She’s lost interest in school, sports, or hobbies.
- He’s extra moody and irritable.
- She’s been drinking or using drugs.
- He dropped out of school.
- She’s been acting violent, picking fights.
- He’s been taking a lot of risk—driving drunk, playing around with a gun.
- She ran away from home.
- He’s tried to hurt himself (i.e. cutting, burning, reckless behavior, etc.).
- She gave away a bunch of her favorite things.
- She said goodbye to her close friends for no reason.
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