Support from friends

Sometimes talking to your family about your mental health can be difficult, uncomfortable or scary. Some young people may not want their family to know but by speaking to friends it is some you know trsut and love but your family may not need to know. By giving young people the opportunity to learn how to help someone with a mentl health issue could benefit young people across the conuntry as they could spot the probelm earlier and also be able to support their friends better and help them through their hard times.

Why the contribution is important

This idea is impotant as it gives young people the opportuinty to learn not only the importance of mental health but how serious it is. this also means that anyone struggling can turn to the people closest to them whilst still feeling comfortable and not like it is a therapy session from your parents. This is alos important becasue young peoples friends will most likel;y understand them more than a parent or family memeber as often family memebers are confused at why they have mental health problems as they may not understand or have the full picture whereas if it is a school friend they are at school with you all day and know what is going on wghereas family members often are not at school and have no idea what could be going on in the background.

by nicole24 on November 08, 2018 at 09:35AM

Current Rating

3.75
Average score : 3.7
Based on : 4 votes

Comments

  • Posted by ScotParlModerator November 08, 2018 at 11:19

    Thanks for your idea Nicole24 - this is really useful. Does anyone else have any thoughts around the idea of teaching young people how to recognise, and help others, who might be experiencing a mental health issue?

  • Posted by e1058b November 21, 2018 at 14:43

    Definitely an important point. Being another young person, and not being equipped with the right tools to support a friend in crisis is disconcerting, scary and can make the mental health of that young person worse also, especially if other support networks such as guidance teachers or mental health services are difficult to navigate or don't perform as expected. Enabling more young people within a community with mental health first aid might be an idea?

  • Posted by ScotParlModerator November 21, 2018 at 16:35

    Thanks for your thoughts e1058b - this is really useful feedback, especially around mental health first aid.

  • Posted by endowarrior_x November 26, 2018 at 00:02

    It's good to have friends support you with your mental health but sometimes they can be at a loss on what they can do to help when you are in distress. I think that the mental health first aid course should be available for young people to go on in order to enhance understanding and also give young people the skills and strategies in managing their mental health.
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