It's true that we may not always know what to say or how to behave with a friend who is going through a difficult time, so sometimes it seems easier to ignore the situation, for fear of making things worse. However, just as we want our friends to be there for us, we should also be there for them when they need us, even if it's just by listening.
Read below five ways you can help a friend's mental health, according to the PsychologyNow.gr website.
1. Give space
Listen carefully. This means being quiet, not talking, and listening carefully. If she is emotional, sad, or angry and shares this with you, it is a sign of trust. So give her space to express herself fully.
2. Leave the advice aside.
Unprofessional advice is not helpful, on the contrary, it reinforces the feeling of frustration. You may know this from personal experience: we rarely follow advice that we did not ask for. The good thing is that she knows that you will be there for her when she needs it.
3. Keep personal experiences at bay
When we face difficulties, we become empathetic. When we are told a personal experience and we share our story, it can make the other person feel like they are not alone, but don't fully expect your friend to have a positive reaction to it.
Also, when we are faced with a situation, we don't want to hear that someone else handled the situation better. The fact that a certain action worked effectively for you doesn't mean that it will work for your friend.
4. Avoid criticism
Ask lots of questions, but don't judge. It may seem trivial to you, but your friend may not realize that they have done something wrong. Or maybe they don't realize how obvious it is to others. Handling the problem the wrong way can lead to distancing the person who is struggling.
5. Be specific.
If your friend is persistently asking for a solution or advice, but you have no idea how to help, you can make a specific suggestion. For example, you could say, “Maybe an expert’s advice would help you more.”
Source: Marie Claire
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