How can I reach out to friends suffering with bad mental health?

With the uncertainty of Lockdown 2.0 and Christmas celebrations looming, you may wonder how your friends with mental health problems are coping. Just by wanting to be there for them, you’re already being a great friend!

Remember that everyone is different, it’s important to talk with your friend about what they need. A little ‘I’m thinking of you’ text can help. Texts are easy to send and transmit love and acceptance, and let them know that they are not alone. Please see our message ideas to help you reach out.

They may not reply to your message with much enthusiasm or at all. But when responding to them, be a good listener by paying attention and acknowledging their feelings. Don’t try to solve their problems for them or judge what they say, even if you don’t agree.

If you feel like they need more support than you can give, you could suggest charities such as Mind. Their Everyday Living page is packed full of topics and their Coronavirus Hub has reliable information and tips to help people cope during this time. For further tips on how you can help support someone, please see our website.