Are you worried about a friend or fellow student?

Warning signs

• Has your friend told you they have a problem?
• Have there been any dramatic changes in appearance/weight/hygiene?
• Are they drinking more alcohol or using drugs?
• Has their mood recently changed a lot?
• Have other people expressed concern?
• Has their behaviour changed e.g. not socialising as much as usual, withdrawn, not attending lectures etc.
• Any of these signs could indicate a need for concern about your friend.

What to do next

• Avoiding the situation or pretending nothing is wrong will not help your friend, so here are some helpful tips for dealing with a distressed friend:
• Communicate your concerns to your friend.  Letting them know you are worried and listening to them is a key first step
• Encourage your friend to consult their GP or consider seeing a counsellor. 
• Be realistic about what you are able to achieve on your own.  Don’t take on more than you can handle and remember that some things are best dealt with by a professional.
• Encourage them to exercise and eat a balanced diet.  Perhaps arrange to meet them for a meal or an exercise class as they may not arrange anything on their own.
• DO NOT tell them to ‘count their blessings’, or to ‘snap out of it and cheer up’.  These are not helpful,
• Be sensitive.  Your friend may not be feeling their usual self, so do not be offended if their response is rejecting or abrupt.  Continue to show you care.
• If you think someone is severely depressed, or in any immediate danger, DO NOT carry the burden yourself—seek help from the Counselling service, your tutors or a GP. Try and gain your friend’s permission to speak to an outside source of help, but remember that their personal safety is the priority so you may have to act without their permission.