Worried about someone else?
Watching someone you care about struggle is hard. Here’s how to help them — and take care of yourself too.
How to talk about it
💛 Start gently
“I’ve noticed you seem to be going through a hard time. I’m here if you want to talk.” Open questions invite trust.
👂 Listen more than you speak
Resist the urge to fix it. Feeling heard often matters more than advice.
🚫 Skip the judgment
Avoid “you should…” or “at least…”. Try instead: “That sounds really hard. I believe you.”
📞 Offer a helpline
“There are free, confidential lines — want me to help you find one?” You can browse this site with them.
If the person is in immediate danger
If someone may harm themselves right now, call emergency services (911 in North America, 112 in most of Europe). Stay with the person if you safely can.
Take care of yourself too
Supporting someone in crisis is draining. The helplines on this site also welcome worried loved ones — you can call for yourself, to talk about what you’re going through.