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Helping a friend
Is your friend dealing with a problem like depression, an eating disorder, drug abuse, or violence at home? Just listening and offering to help can mean a lot.
A friend's problems may be more than you can handle alone. Don't be afraid to talk to an adult, such as a parent or guardian, teacher, school nurse, or school counselor. Even if your friend gets upset, the most important thing is protecting your friend's health and safety.
- Learn to support a friend with depression with these tips.
- Help a friend with an eating disorder with this article .
- Help a friend quit smoking with TeenQuit .
- When a friend struggles with drug drugs or alcohol, know what to say and do.
- If a friend is being abused at home physically, sexually, or verbally, tell your friend to call the 24-hour Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453).
- If a friend is being hurt by someone he or she is dating, give your friend the contact information for loveisrespect.org . Your friend can get help by chat, by texting "loveis" to 22522, or by calling 866-331-9474.
- Help a friend who is thinking about suicide by telling an adult right away. You can also tell your friend how to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) or by chat .
- If a friend is talking about hurting someone else, tell an adult right away. You also can give your friend contact information for a 24-hour crisis text line .
- If a friend is having trouble in other ways, you can reach a 24-hour crisis text line . You also can contact a helpline for kids and teens at 800-448-3000 and by text, email, and chat.
Always tell an adult if a friend is in danger. Even if you just think a friend may be in danger, tell an adult.
Content last reviewed September 16, 2015
Page last updated November 18, 2015