Helping a friend who feels down

How do I know if my friend needs help?

You might notice your friend is by themselves a lot. Or maybe they have been really emotional - getting angry, sad or crying a lot. Maybe they're just not acting like themselves.

Things you can do to help out

Letting your friend know that you are there to listen and be there for them is a big help!

Be ready to listen to how they are feeling.

Suggest that they talk to an adult

It's not up to you to fix things for your friend. Let them know there are people they can talk to. This might be a trusted teacher, school counsellor or even Kids Helpline!

Go with them to talk to someone

If they're too scared or worried to do it alone, maybe you can go with them to talk to someone. It might help them feel safer to open up.

Help them take their mind off it

Make plans to hang out together and have some fun. Play a game, kick a ball around, listen to music together or watch some funny videos! This can help them take their mind off what's upsetting them.

Remember to take care of yourself!

Remember to talk about your own feelings with someone you trust. If you are worried about a friend, it's ok to talk about it with a parent, teacher or even a counsellor!