Stage 7 · Lesson 3 of 6
When a friend is in serious difficulty
Sometimes a friend's struggle is bigger than ordinary stress: they seem very low for weeks, stop eating or sleeping, talk about being a burden, or mention wanting to die or harm themselves. Take it seriously. Ask directly and calmly how they are, listen without judging, and encourage them to talk to a doctor, counsellor or helpline; offer to help them find one or go with them.
If they are in immediate danger, contact local emergency services and do not leave them alone. Do not promise to keep it secret if their life is at risk. Tell a trusted adult or university staff.
The mental health roadmap at /roadmaps/mental-health/ covers how to help a friend in more depth.
A question to check yourself come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Start with· follow one of these
- BookPaidNonviolent Communication: A Language of Life (Marshall B. Rosenberg)
Marshall B. Rosenberg (PuddleDancer Press) · Paid book
A clear way to listen and respond with empathy instead of advice
- GuideFreeMind: mental health information and support
Mind
Plain-language guides on how to help someone and when to seek professional help
Keep handy
Also worth your time
- Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World (Vivek H. Murthy)Go deeperPaid
How giving and receiving support builds lasting connection
Struggling right now? If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line: Find a helpline (any country), Umang (Pakistan), Tele-MANAS, 14416 (India).