CONNECTING WITH OTHERS

Connecting with others SUPPORTING A FRIEND Helping yourself Identify trusted friends and adults who may be able to support you when you are sad. Practise talking to them about the ‘little losses’ that make you feel sad and upset. Accept that how you are feeling is ok and normal. Use different ways to manage your feelings: write letters or in a diary, write poems, listen to music, draw, be active, talk to people, make something, or get creative. Take time to be with friends, laugh and do something you enjoy. Accept help when it is offered. If you want to be alone, thank the person for their offer of help, say you want to be alone for now, but tell them a way they could help in the future.

Connecting with others SUPPORTING A FRIEND Helping a friend or family member Spend time with your friend, talk to them on the telephone, and send them texts, s or letters – even if they don’t write back. Make guesses about what might help them. They may not know what will help, or may not ask for help. Your guesses may not always work out, but your friend will remember you tried. Be prepared to hear the details of what has happened a number of times. Telling and retelling their story is a way for someone to understand and accept what has happened. Listen without interrupting their talking. The best responses are small comments that show you are listening such as, ‘I’m sorry’, ‘Tell me about that’. If you are worried about your friend, talk to your parents or another adult that you trust about your fears and worries. Accept that sometimes your friend will want to do normal things and not talk. Go along with how they are feeling at the time.

Connecting with others SUPPORTING A FRIEND Video – I’m fine

Connecting with others SUPPORTING A FRIEND Audio clip – Supporting a friend