Stage 7 · Lesson 5 of 6
When friends are not enough
Friends, mentors and communities help with a lot, but they are not trained to treat depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, addiction or thoughts of self-harm. If low mood, worry or distress lasts for weeks, affects your studies, work, sleep or eating, or includes thoughts of not wanting to live, you need professional help: a doctor, counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist.
Needing that is not a failure of your support system, and it does not mean your friends do not care. University counselling centres are a good first step, and the mental health roadmap at /roadmaps/mental-health/ explains how to find help. If you are in danger, contact emergency services or a crisis line now, using Find A Helpline.
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).