

Tough as it can be, talking to close friends can be important for both of you. It might help to write a list of the pros and cons of telling or not telling people about your problem. Think about who you might feel comfortable talking to. You don’t have to tell your friends – and you certainly don’t have to tell everyone. You may feel that you’re bothering or upsetting your friend, fear being labelled, or worry about how your friendship might change. If you have a mental health problem, you may feel ashamed of ‘admitting’ to it. Talking to friends about your mental health supporting a friend with a mental health problemīoth can be difficult to do, so we have tips on how to start a conversation, offer support, and look after yourself.talking to friends about your mental health.“They kept coming to see me even though I didn’t seem to want them and they made me laugh.” We can end up with the strongest relationships with the people who’ve supported us through hard times. But friendships can play a key role in helping us live with or recover from a mental health problem and overcome the isolation that often comes with it. If we’re experiencing a mental health problem, our instinct might be to hide away and avoid our friends. “The best thing my friend did for me was that they just accepted me as I was.” Our friends can keep us grounded, help us get things in perspective, and help us manage life's problems. Friendship is a crucial element in protecting our mental health.
