Hi Sam, im not sure if you can help but one of my friends has been sh-ing for a while but she told me she stopped but she also sends me really dark depressing videos and i dont mind but its kinda exhausting replyinf and trying to help whilst going through stuff my self. she also keeps saying that she wants to die and i want to help but i dont wanna go too deep into it or cut her off and make it worse. advice please xx but i understand if you cant reply
Sam
Hi there,
We can all go through times and experiences where we need support. Finding out people we love and care for are going through a tricky time can be difficult, and it’s okay to not be sure of the best way to support someone.
It’s important to look after yourself when you’re supporting someone else and it can help to set clear boundaries. Boundaries can help to show your friend how you can and can’t support them. For example, you could let your friend know about times when you won’t be able to reply or say if a video is too much. The message boards are a great place and share tips on how to help a friend without feeling overwhelmed.
You should never feel like you need to support a friend alone, and there are lots of ways to help her get support. People like their parents, carers, teachers, and doctors can help them. You could even go with your friend to help them speak to an adult they trust.
If you're worried that your friend may hurt themselves or think they need support, it’s okay for you to tell a trusted adult yourself. Taking this step can mean your friend can start to get the right support.
Our page on supporting a friend has lots of things you can do to support someone going through self-harm. Being a friend and listening when someone needs to talk is great, but only when you’re feeling able to do it. You can speak to the Childline counsellors any time, even when it’s about someone else.
Take care,
Sam
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