My friend has admitted his mental health issues to me. He is seeking professional help. But what should I do?

Question

My friend was extremely open and explained to me his deep rooted psychological problem. As soon as he told me, he regretted it and cried. I am the only person in the world other than him that knows, he wishes he didn't tell me, he is seeking professional help.

My query is where should I stand as a friend? You don't know me, him or his problem. But that is irrelevant information for you. A friend tells you something as serious and deeply personal as that (not something men often do) what do you do? I'm not qualified to offer him advice, I have never experienced anything like what he is and I am not educated in the field.

All I can do is be a friend. But what should I do? Ignore it? Ask him how he is? Just simply be there for him if he needs me? Find useful information/documents to support him? Persuade him to tell his mum?

He is a good, hard working, honest man and he is my friend. I just don't know what to do at my end. Any ideas, discussion, suggestions no matter how random or seemingly irrelevant is welcome. I just need some external input.

I can't ask my family or friends because they CAN'T ever find out.

Thankyou x

Answer 1

I've had problems myself for a long time now & I have to say the best tonic is simply having someone you trust who you can talk to. It can also be helpful to talk with fellow sufferers, I've bonded well with someone I met online & it's feels great to be open about it with them without fear of judgement. I also read a lot & have found that reading books about my condition has helped me understand it much better. Unfortunately I have found doctors & psychotherapists to be pretty useless & would only recommend them if your friend is a danger to himself or others.



The best thing you can do is simply listen when he needs to talk. Suggesting ideas must be done tactfully as you don't want to frighten him away, don't push him into anything he is uncomfortable with. Reading books is a good place to start as he can do this privately.

Answer 2

Having suffered psychological problems, all you need to do is be a supportive friend

Tell him he can talk to you anytime, tell him you won't judge him

Ask him how he is progressing, and just be there for him

You sound like a lovely friend

Answer 3

Stick by him, it would have taken a lot for him to tell you this, a lot of courage. Just be there for him and give him the support he needs if he asks fot it. Hes confided in you, so just give him the grace to keep it between yourselves atm

Answer 4

Support him, don't be his guy friend or pal, be his friend and brother. If he needs to cry let him cry, if needs you to help him, help him find out information do that, just ask what he needs from you.



Good luck, will pray for him and you.

Answer 5

He was wrong to tell you because there is nothing you can do. He must tell a dr. about all his symptoms and problems. There are meds for every disorder and he will soon be much better.