Try to listen without judgment or interruptions.

Let them know that you believe what they are

saying and take them seriously.

Know your limits and do not place yourself in

physical danger the best way to help is to
connect your friend to a mental health
professional. Dont promise to keep a secret that

No matter what, you shouldnt

be embarrassed or worried about
offending or upsetting your friend
if you are worried about them.
Helping your friend may take
some courage, but it is always
worth the effort to support their
health and safety.

could stop your friend from getting support.

KNOW THE SIGNS IF YOUR

FRIEND IS FEELING DOWN

National Depression Initiative

Youthline

www.depression.org.nz
www.thelowdown.co.nz
0800 111 757
SMS: 5626
team@thelowdown.co.nz

www.youthline.co.nz
0800 376633
SMS: 234
talk@youthline.co.nz
parenttalk@youthline.co.nz

You can also report someone who may be suicidal to Facebook directly: but if the person has made
an explicit threat of suicide, you should call 000 or one of the suicide hotline immediately.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SUICIDE

PREVENTION ON FACEBOOK, GO TO:
www.facebook.com/help/suicideprevention
For more information about the:
Jed Foundation, go to: www.jedfoundation.org
Clinton Foundation, go to: www.clintonfoundation.org
Young and Well Research Centre, go to: www.youngandwellcrc.org.au
This guide, while evidence based, is for informational and educational purposes only and is not
intended to constitute medical advice or be a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.

Being a friend means helping others

when they are down. Every day on
Facebook, people share millions of
joyous moments. We see celebrations,
reunions, anniversaries, and daily
thoughts. But life unfortunately, is
not always filled with only happy
moments, and so the information
people share on sites like Facebook
isnt always just about being happy.

Sometimes people post in their most vulnerable

moments. And sometimes people share their
deepest insecurities, disappointments, feelings of
loneliness or despair, or even worse.
If your friends call for help online, there are things
that you can do to help them. Facebook worked with
the Jed Foundation, the Clinton Foundation in the US
and the Young and Well Research Centre and
headspace in Australia to highlight some potential
warning signs that a friend might be in emotional
distress and need your help and suggestions for
possible responses and resources that can help you,
help your friend.

IF YOU NEED IMMEDIATE HELP, REFER TO:

Youthline NZ Call 0800 376 633 Free text: 234
Email talk@youthline.co.nz (it is completely anonymous
for you to share your concerns and your call or text is
anonymised before you connect with a counsellor)

If you see someone posting distressing messages or content on

Facebook or behaving dramatically differently than usual, it may
signal that this person needs help. If you have a gut feeling that
something is not right, you should act on it.

BE AWARE OF STATUSES/POSTS, MESSAGES,

PHOTOS OR VIDEOS THAT INCLUDE THE
FOLLOWING THEMES:
T alking about feeling alone, hopeless,
isolated, useless, or a burden to others:
I feel like Im in a black hole;
I dont want to get out of bed... ever;
Leave me alone;
I cant do anything right
 howing moodiness, irritability and hostility
S
that is out of character:
I hate everyone; F*@K the world
T alking about emptiness, numbness or
meaninglessness:
Theres nothing to look forward to;
Theres no point to life
 howing impulsive behaviors: like
S
driving recklessly, a significant change
in, and especially increase in substance
use or taking other risks

It can be tough to start this conversation but

starting by sharing your concerns or feelings
can help someone overcome feeling defensive
or confronted by your concern. Here are some
suggestions of how you may want to star this
important conversation:
 I am worried because you seem (e.g., sad,
withdrawn, etc). Have examples ready such as,
It concerned me when you said...
Be specific about what you noticed.
 Do you want to talk about it? What can I
do to help? If they say no, then you might say:
Its okay if you dont want to talk to me,
but it is important that you talk to someone.
 ffer to help them connect with a counseling
O
service or GP, a Chaplain, other students, or other
mental health services.

While it can be hard, particularly online, to

know if someone is exaggerating, being
sarcastic or being serious, if someone
threatens to take their own life, you should
always take them seriously.

You can also report someone who may be suicidal to

Facebook directly, but if the person has made an explicit
threat of suicide, you should call 111 immediately.

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF THINGS SOMEONE AT RISK OF SUICIDE MIGHT SAY:
I nsomnia posts:
3am again and no sleep
 ithdrawal from everyday activities:
W
Missed another English class
Im such a waste; Another day in
bed under the covers
 se of negative
U
emoticons: repeatedly
using emoticons that
describe feeling:

T alking about suicide or wanting to die:

I want out;
Everyone would be better off without me;
Theres no reason to live
I ntense and urgent emotional despair or intense
guilt or shame, feeling trapped:
I cant take it [the pain] anymore;
There is no way out; Im done;
Im so sorry for all the trouble Ive caused
everyone

Never be afraid to give your friend a call,

pay a visit, or send them a Facebook message
to let them know you are concerned, and
offer to help connect them with any extra
support needed.

 aying goodbyes, giving away personal possessions:

S
Ill miss you all;
You wont have to worry about me anymore
 lorifying or glamorizing death, or making death
G
seem heroic: Death is beautiful
 sking where/how to get potentially lethal means,
A
like access to pills or weapons.

If someone is threatening their own life or someone

elses life, this is an emergency. You need to tell
somebody immediately even if they have asked you
not to. You can call 000 immediately or take your
friend to the emergency room of the nearest hospital.
If its safe to do so, stay with that person or do what
you can to contact them or find someone to stay with
them until help arrives.

If you have a friend who seems to be struggling

with an issue that may be more serious than
they can handle, there is a lot that you can do
to support them.
Reach out, let them know they are not alone in
feeling this way and that its ok to ask for help.
Be clear and direct, and do not use hints such
as using the Like button or replying with an
emoticon, as these could be misinterpreted by
the person youre trying to help.

 howing rage or seeking revenge:

S
Ill show you all; Shell be sorry

If you see someone posting

messages, photos, videos or links
that suggest the person is in
emotional distress, you should
reach out and help them to get
the help they may need.