Helping a Depressed Teenager as a Friend
Friends are the closest people that a person has during the adolescent period. Teens tend to spend more time with their friends, and doing spend activities with them rather than staying at home with their family. Friends come first for when teens are with friends, they have more fun and pleasure. With this scenario then, friends are the first people who notice that one of their peers is not doing well at all. As a friend of a person suffering from teenage depression, here are some things that you can do to help your friend.
Talk Therapy
Talk to your friend, and let your friend talk to you. When you have noticed that there is something wrong, observe carefully if this will persist. If it does not, then its fine, there is no problem. But if this goes on for quite some time, then you will need to talk to your friend. Do not just talk based on an observation that you did for a single day. Talk when you have been observing for a few weeks already.
Therapeutic communication techniques are essential when talking with depressed teens. You will need to talk to your friend in a way that is not probing and questioning. Talk in a mild and subtle way, so that your friend will tell you the truth. It does not mean that being a friend, you will talk to your friend in any manner. This is a different situation that requires wise talking. Be honest and tell your friend of your observations lately, and that there might be something wrong. Do not back off if your friend tells you otherwise. This should make you more persistent in finding this out since denial is often what depressed teens do to avoid the pressures around.
When your friend does not want to talk, you will have to settle on that for now. But it does not mean that you should go on like nothing is happening when you still see the same problems that you have been observing. Sooner or later, though sooner is much more preferred, you will have to speak with your friend about this.
Be with your Friend – Ups and Downs
No matter what you observe about your friend that makes you want to leave, don’t. This is a crucial time wherein your friend needs you more than ever. What your friend is dealing with is a serious problem, not just flu or a fever. Though you hear your friend say things to you that are not quite acceptable, do not just turn your back and leave for the door. Your friend is acting out of character, and your friend is not really aware of what is happening. You have to be with your friend, and watch over since there are the risks of committing suicide among teens who are suffering from depression.
Also, do not keep to yourself what you observe and what your friend has told you. Inform you friend’s parents, so that they will be aware of what is happening and so that they can take proper action. The parents may bring your friend to a doctor, and the soonest possible time, the better. While your friend is undergoing treatment, always be there. Show your love and support, and show your friend that you are still friends no matter what. After all, friendship is accepting people for who they are.
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