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Friend needs support system, has none.
Rend
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Hey everyone.
So a friend of mine is in generally shaky emotional/mental health, and it's been problematic recently. I don't think she has much of a support system at all. There's me, and I do what I can, but I cannot be a whole support system alone.
I'm going to be having a conversation later to day to hopefully help her plan some steps to to start building one that works. My question is this. She suffers from probably depression, if not then perhaps SAD. I'm trying to do some reading, but it would be really helpful if anyone here who suffers or knows someone who suffers from this sort of condition could give me any insight as to what kind of support system you might have, what steps you might take to build or fortify it, what you need from it, etc.
Anything to help me prepare myself for this conversation. I'm not completely uninformed about this, but I feel like something needs to happen in the affirmative as immediately as possible, so I would love to be prepared when I walk in.
So a friend of mine is in generally shaky emotional/mental health, and it's been problematic recently. I don't think she has much of a support system at all. There's me, and I do what I can, but I cannot be a whole support system alone.
I'm going to be having a conversation later to day to hopefully help her plan some steps to to start building one that works. My question is this. She suffers from probably depression, if not then perhaps SAD. I'm trying to do some reading, but it would be really helpful if anyone here who suffers or knows someone who suffers from this sort of condition could give me any insight as to what kind of support system you might have, what steps you might take to build or fortify it, what you need from it, etc.
Anything to help me prepare myself for this conversation. I'm not completely uninformed about this, but I feel like something needs to happen in the affirmative as immediately as possible, so I would love to be prepared when I walk in.
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One person can be all the difference you need, but typically you will want lots of friends and family to be there to help. Does she have any relatives in the area on cordial terms?
The very first thing I'm going to do this afternoon is sit down with her and make an appointment with a therapist. She's receptive to improvement so that, as well as this conversation, should not be in issue. She has relatives but her family has fallen on somewhat hard times recently, and she's always had them. What I'm looking to try and do is help her to build an extra-familial support system.
Also, she's my ex-wife, so it would probably be emotionally unhealthy for her were I her only support.
them for financial reason, or because there's a rocky recent history. if there's any love left there at all they should be involved
The only support system you can help build for her is the one where you support her in going to a therapist. Making friends and letting people into her life is something she has to do. You can't really do any of that for her.
I assume you're in America, and I don't know exactly how it is there, but in Australia, pretty much every university has a master's level psychology training clinic, which are supervised by experienced psychologists.
While yes, by attending these clinics your therapists will be students, they are held to the standards of psychologists, receive qualified supervision, and offer extremely cheap therapy.
Might be worth checking if there's a University in your friends area with a Master's program and looking into the possibility of attending their training clinic? If you find one, give them a call, ask about what services they provide and the cost.
Please shoot me a PM if you add me so I know to add you back.
There are non-profit programs in pretty much every major city I've been in in the US, where you see a therapist who is a grad student and your case/therapist are overseen by a licensed professional.
They offer free/income-based payment options for people without insurance coverage.