How to Help a Friend having Mental health Issues

http://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Teens-Young-Adults/How-to-Help-a-Friend

How Will I Know if Something’s Wrong?

Sometimes things don’t go our way or bad and unexpected things happen. It’s normal to get upset or sad during upsetting times, but if you feel that your friend isn’t responding normally it might mean that there’s something more serious going on. Here are some signs to look from your friend.

• Withdrawing from social activities or appearing down for more than 2 weeks. This could mean crying regularly, feeling tired all the time or not wanting to hang out anymore. 
• Self-harming actions such as cutting or burning. Some people may begin to wear long sleeves or pants to cover up signs that they are doing this.
• Threatening to kill his- or herself or making plans to do so. Although you may not know whether your friend is serious or not, it’s better to be safe and take things seriously.
• Extreme out-of-control, risk-taking behaviors

- See more at: http://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Teens-Young-Adults/How-to-Help-a-Friend#sthash.qVkiPG3g.dpuf