CONCERNED ABOUT A FRIEND?

High School can be both an exciting and overwhelming experience, and friends are usually the first people students seek for support. Helping a friend through a tough time can be difficult and sometimes feel like more than you can handle on your own.

Pay attention to warning signs such as:

• sleep disturbance

• excessive sadness and frequent crying

• changes in appetite

• extreme mood changes

• loss of interest in activities

• increased nervousness

• avoidance of friends, classes and social events

• hopelessness / worthlessness

• issues focusing

• excessive use of alcohol or drugs

• high risk taking behaviors

• seeing or hearing things that are not real

• thinking or talking about death / dying or harm to self or others

If you are concerned about a friend you can listen, be supportive and encourage them to seek professional help. You can give a friend our phone number, sit with them while they make the call or walk them to a trusted adult. If you are unsure about what to do, our staff is available to help.

How to help a friend