Help with my friend

[Steven1]

Right, so there's this girl that I'm really close to (in more of a brother-sister way). Anyway, recently her friend died aged 16.

Ever since she's been really depressed and has been getting drunk almost every night, although has not yet self harmed. I managed to stop her thinking of suicide.

I've been helping her through it and everything but she still seems to be struggling, but she at least realises she needs help and is going to her doctor.

What I'm trying to ask is-

Has anyone ever been in this situation? (On either side)
What did you do or what did you feel like?
Is there any other way I can help?

I'm basically trying to help but I don't think there's much I can do apart from listen and be there for her. I obviously don't want to make anything any worse, so I'm wondering what you guys think I could do to help.

[Living For Love]

Hi! When I was 4 years old one of the boys of our class (also aged 4) died in a terrible accident, I can't remember more details. We were very young, most of us didn't knew what "death" was, we were only told by our teachers that he was never coming back.

Anyway, I think that you should try to be more close to her so that she doesn't think she's alone. Try to do something funny with her, something that makes her forget a bit about what's going on, make her feel that you are there to help. Going to the doctor will also help for sure.

I don't know if you or her have any religion but that would also help. When I'm going through a very very bad moment I think that God is always taking care of me and protecting me.

Make her feel happy again, be a good friend to her, and maybe tell other people to do the same (talking to her and giving her support).
Wish you luck.

[JamesSuperBoy]

Being there for her is great and good she is seeking help - I think grief affects everyone differently and there could also be other reasons for her actions and drinking.

It can be so hard to help a friend - but someone there is a great help - maybe encourage her to keep appts and do not take on to much.

[Luminous]

I haven't been in that situation- continue to be there for her and support her. A lot of people wouldn't want to take on the responsibility of supporting someone in a tough time. Good for you for being there.

[1_21Guns]

I have been in that situation, a friend/barely ex had a friend that passed away before I knew them, it gave him a lot of anger problems and anyway one day I was messing about and he snapped and grabbed me by my throat, after that I somehow calmly managed to get him to get help for his anger, not quite the same situation although it is he just reacted to it differently, anyway, like everyone's said just keep supporting her, it's good she's getting help and make sure she knows it's the right thing to do :)

[Steven1]

Hi! When I was 4 years old one of the boys of our class (also aged 4) died in a terrible accident, I can't remember more details. We were very young, most of us didn't knew what "death" was, we were only told by our teachers that he was never coming back.

Anyway, I think that you should try to be more close to her so that she doesn't think she's alone. Try to do something funny with her, something that makes her forget a bit about what's going on, make her feel that you are there to help. Going to the doctor will also help for sure.

I don't know if you or her have any religion but that would also help. When I'm going through a very very bad moment I think that God is always taking care of me and protecting me.

Make her feel happy again, be a good friend to her, and maybe tell other people to do the same (talking to her and giving her support).
Wish you luck.

Hi. I have been, but it tends to be at night when she's got time to think more than she really gets depressed.
I am not religious at all, but she's slightly Catholic (she believes in some of it, but not all), but I think she's lost all faith in it now.
I would do, but there's only 1 other person besides me who she's comfortable being open about stuff like this with. If I told others she'd just shut herself away from everything and everyone.


Thanks for all your help guys.

If other people have experiences then I'd still like hear from you.