For Friends
Friends are often the first people to notice when someone is struggling. If your friend seems withdrawn, overwhelmed, hopeless, unusually quiet, or different from themselves, your care and attention can matter deeply.
This page is part of the Suicide Awareness section and offers guidance for supporting a friend in crisis, recognizing warning signs, and knowing when to involve a trusted adult, crisis service, or emergency support.
Supporting a Friend in Crisis
It can be difficult to know what to say when a friend is struggling. You may worry about making things worse or saying the wrong thing. In most situations, calm presence, careful listening, and direct support are more helpful than trying to find perfect words.
You do not need to solve everything yourself. Your role is to notice, listen, take concerns seriously, and help your friend connect with someone who can provide safety and support.
- Listen without judgement or criticism.
- Take hopelessness, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts seriously.
- Encourage your friend to talk to a trusted adult.
- Do not promise to keep dangerous secrets.
- Stay close if your friend may be unsafe.
- Contact a parent, teacher, counsellor, crisis line, or emergency service if needed.
- Remember that supporting a friend does not mean carrying everything alone.
Recognizing Warning Signs
Warning signs may include pulling away from friends, giving away important belongings, saying they feel like a burden, talking about death, expressing hopelessness, taking unusual risks, or saying that things will never get better.
Other signs may be quieter: sudden mood changes, changes in sleep, loss of interest in favourite activities, emotional numbness, or messages that feel like goodbye. If something feels wrong, trust your concern.
How You Can Help
Start with simple, honest words. You might say, “I’m worried about you,” “I care about you,” or “You do not have to go through this alone.” Let your friend speak without trying to correct, shame, or minimize what they are feeling.
If your friend says they might hurt themselves, stay with them if you can, contact a trusted adult immediately, and seek crisis or emergency support. It is better for your friend to be upset that you told someone than for them to be left alone in danger.
Friendship can offer comfort and connection, but safety requires support. Reaching out for help is not betrayal. It is an act of care.
For Friends Experiencing Loss
Losing a friend can be deeply painful. Grief may bring sadness, shock, guilt, anger, confusion, or loneliness. These reactions are human, and they may come in waves.
If you are grieving, speak with someone you trust. Family members, counsellors, teachers, support groups, and qualified professionals can help you process what happened and support you through the days ahead.
You do not have to navigate grief alone. Connection, patience, and support can become important parts of healing.
Your Friendship Matters
Small acts of care can make a real difference: checking in, listening, sitting beside someone, sending a message, or helping them reach an adult who can protect them.
If you believe your friend is in immediate danger, contact emergency services, a crisis support line, a trusted adult, or a qualified professional right away.
“Sometimes the greatest gift you can give a friend is staying close enough to help them reach safety.”