Support a Friend During a Mental Breakdown

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We all have mental breakdowns sometimes if we are undergoing a lot of [[Reduce Stress|stress and pressure]] during our lifetimes. Is your friend having a mental breakdown? Are you wondering how you can be of help and be supportive? You'll need to be a listening ear and validate his or her feelings.
== Steps ==
# Calmly approach your friend. Avoid screaming or getting angry; that will only make your friend feel worse.
# Lightly know your friend that you are there. As stated before, avoid the urge to get mad or yell. If your friend is screaming loudly, try tapping him/her gently on the back or shoulder and calmly say "I'm here".
# Let your friend know that you are concerned. Once he/she has calmed down, tell him/her that you noticed a mental breakdown and you would like to support him/her through the situation. You should also invite him/her to talk about the issues that caused the mental breakdown just so you can understand how to help him/her. Be sure to [[Validate Someone's Feelings|validate their feelings]] and avoid unsupportive responses.
#*For example, try saying, "Claire, I was worried about you because I noticed your mental breakdown. You seem very nervous; would you like to vent about what's going on?"
# Listen closely and carefully when your friend vents. Avoid interrupting or making judgmental comments. Keep in mind that your friend may not be seeking advice, but just a listening ear. Be sure to ask before giving advice; it may not be what he/she wants at present.
# Help teach your friend strategies for how to [[Cope with Stress|deal with stress]] and [[Keep Yourself Calm During Tough Times|stay calm during hardship]].