Are you prepared to support?

When you have a friend who is sad or depressed it is easy to say that you are there for them. This might be something you say just to comfort them and it might work! But are you prepared if they try to talk to you about what's on their mind?

Having a friend who struggles is not easy. You have an important role to either play or pass. Not everyone is emotionally ready to take that role. However if you choose to say that you're there for your friend, you should be ready. It is terrible if your friend has told you you can talk to them, just to meet someone who shows no interest or someone who talks about your problems like if they were insignificant. 

You might be in for a ride. They might be really happy, one moment and suicidal the next. Show you want to hear what they have to say. Don't say things like you've been in a worse place, had worse times or like you know exactly how they feel or how it is to be them. These things may lead to your friend not feeling safe to talk to you and even make them feel even worse.

Don't say "it's just to do like this", "you just have to be positive", "it's just to think about like an adventure" or things in that direction. You might say things like "I think I get a sense of what you meen" or "is it an idea to try..." but ly if they seem like they can takesuggestions. In heneral you should just listen, give responses that confirm you hear what they say, and answer them if they ask you a question. It might also be a good idea to ask them to contact a doctor or specialist if they are depressed.

I've struggled with depression myself and these tips are based on how people acted, or did not act to me and what it did to me. It is not written by anyone with an educatiob ib psychology, but by a oerson who's been in the midst of it.