Mental Health & Well-Being: Supporting a Friend
Together for Mental Health: Everyone, Everyday
Developing positive mental health is important to academic achievement and overall well-being.
Most students have been in a situation where they have supported a friend with their mental health, yet many don’t feel prepared. Here are some strategies to help you listen and support a friend when they are experiencing problems with their mental health. You can start by using the 5 Golden Rules:
Say what you see: Describe the behaviors or feelings you’ve noticed.
Show that you care: Let them know you are there for them and that you care about their well-being.
Hear them out: Listen to what they have to say without interrupting or judging.
Know your role: Understand that you are there to support, not to solve their problems.
Connect to help: Encourage them to reach out to trusted adults or professionals who can provide further assistance.
Always remember, you don’t have to do this alone. When in doubt about what to do or say, ask a caring adult for advice!
Thank you for being a supportive friend and making a positive difference in someone's life.
Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Information
Be There Certificate
The Be There Certificate is a free, self-paced learning experience designed to increase mental health literacy and provide you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to safely support anyone who may be struggling with their mental health. It provides a deep understanding of Be There’s 5 Golden Rules — a simple but actionable framework on how to recognize when someone might be struggling with their mental health, your role in supporting that person, and how to connect them to the help they deserve.
- 6 interactive lessons
- Less than 2 hours
- Free of charge
- Available in French, English and Spanish
- Videos and real life scenarios
- Unlimited access
For more information please visit: www.betherecertificate.org