How To Support A Friend In Need

When someone you care about is struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges, it can be difficult to know how to help. Many people feel pressure to “cheer up” their loved one or offer quick fixes. But supporting someone through a mental health struggle isn’t about solving their problems. It’s about walking beside them with empathy, consistency, and care. 

Here are some ways you can show up for a friend in meaningful, supportive ways: 

1. Offer Your Presence, Not Solutions

Your friend doesn’t need you to erase their feelings. What matters most is your willingness to listen and sit with them in their experience. Invite them to spend time with you one-on-one in a safe, nonjudgmental space. When they share, resist the urge to give advice right away. Instead, validate what they’re going through: “That sounds really hard,” or “I’m glad you told me.” Sometimes, simply being heard is the most healing gift. 

2. Encourage Professional Support

If your friend seems open, gently encourage them to connect with a therapist, counselor, or other licensed professional. You might offer to help research providers, go with them to their first appointment, or simply check in on how it’s going. Remember: suggesting therapy isn’t about “fixing” them. It’s about reminding them they don’t have to carry everything alone. 

3. Create Community and Connection

Mental health struggles can be deeply isolating. Extend invitations to social events, group activities, or family gatherings, even if your friend doesn’t always accept. Knowing they’re wanted and included matters. Community support reminds people that they belong, even during hard seasons. 

4. Move Together

Exercise and physical activity are powerful mood boosters. Invite your friend for a walk, a hike, or a low-pressure activity like tossing a frisbee in the park. It doesn’t need to be intense. A consistent, shared routine can help break through isolation while also supporting both of your mental health. 

5. Promote Healthy Coping

If your friend uses drugs or alcohol to cope, consider planning sober activities together. Create spaces that feel safe, supportive, and fun without substances. If their use becomes concerning or dangerous, encourage them to seek professional help. Your role isn’t to monitor them, but to be a steady source of positive support. 

6. Know Emergency Resources

In rare but serious cases, someone’s safety may be at risk. If your friend talks about harming themselves or seems in danger, it’s important to act. In the U.S., you can dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there’s immediate danger, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency department. Having these numbers saved in your phone can prepare you for the unexpected. 

Supporting a friend through mental health challenges is not about having the “right” words. It’s about being there, consistently and compassionately. And while you show up for others, remember to also show up for yourself. Taking care of your own mental health can help you sustain the energy and presence needed to walk alongside those you care about. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone. Support is available, and reaching out is a sign of strength.