Pat's Answer
To Pat / 12 July 2020
One of my closest friends hasn't been feeling quite the best for some time
Your Question
Hi Pat, So one of my closest friends hasn’t been feeling quite the best for some time now, and of course myself and some other friends try to support her as much as we can. Her family is overall very supportive as well but, are very against the idea of her seeking additional help/counselling with anyone else. She hasn’t been getting much better and every time she brings up going to places that she can get additional help (free of charge) they get quite mad at her making the whole situation worse. I can only do some much to support her and it would be wrong for me to get involved in what her family thinks since it’s not my business to raise her. Is there any tips on how I can help her further with this situation? Thanks |
From Pat / 5 August 2020
Answer
Hello, you are very welcome to Ask Pat.Â
It sounds like you are telling us that one of your closet friends hasn’t being feeling well for a while. You are feeling that you can only do so much to help her at the moment and that you would like further help.Â
It comes across to us that you are being a very supportive friend to her. It also appears to us that you are looking for additional support and information for your friend but you are also taking into consideration her family dynamic. It’s understandable that you would feel that you are in an awkward situation.Â
You have mentioned that your friend wants to get in contact with services and has met with resistance from her family. Here are some websites which you and your friend may find helpful:  Pieta House, www.pieta.ie, the HSE website, www.yourmentalhealth.ie or jigsaw at www.jigsaw.ie. There are also some articles on feelings on the Childline website www.childline.ie/how-i-feel/
Every child and young person has the right to be safe and the right to be heard. You also have the right to get help and support for whatever is going on for you. Childline would be very happy to chat to you and your friend about all of the issues you have raised in your question, if you wish to contact us further. All of the Childline services are free to use and are available 24/7. Our telephone number is 1800 66 66 66, the number to text us on is 50101 or you can chat through our website www.childline.ie . Our services are non judgmental and we do not tell you what to do, but we will explore with you what options are available to you.
You are a great friend raising your concerns for your friend’s welfare, thank you contacting us at Ask Pat.Â
We hope to hear from you soon, take care,Â
Pat