Worried About a Friend?

Overview

The transition to college and the struggle of balancing school, work, and family responsibilities can feel overwhelming. Often it's friends and family who notice concerning changes in behavior before anyone else. This means that you may have the opportunity to help your friend or loved one gain access to resources and help as early as possible to best support them.

There are several warning signs that you may notice that could be indicators that your friend or loved one may benefit from counseling:

Warning signs

• Seeming EXCESSIVELY tired, anxious, depressed, irritable, angry, moody, or sad.
• Noticeable changes in your friend's appearance, dress, or habits (such as poor grooming or hygiene, rapid weight loss or gain, withdrawing from social activities, or a change in academic performance).
• Seeming hopeless or helpless
• Use of alcohol or other substances that interferes with relationships, work, or school.
• Thoughts, actions or behaviors that seem out of character, unusual, or bizarre.
• ANY type of comment indicating that they may be thinking about harming themselves or others.

What you can do next

If you notice any of these warning signs or you're just generally concerned about a friend and think they'd benefit from counseling, please consider one of the following options:

Call an anonymous hotline

There is always someone available on-call to discuss your concerns anonymously. Making a call today can make a significant difference.