Nurturing Mental Wellness: Supporting Friends and Family

A Learning Module for World Suicide Prevention Day

Scenario 1: Your friend, Alex, has been unusually quiet and withdrawn for weeks, cancelling plans and not responding to messages as usual. You notice they look tired and disheveled.

Scenario 2: A family member, Sarah, confides in you that she's been feeling hopeless and has thoughts of self-harm, but quickly adds, "Don't tell anyone, I'm fine, really."

Scenario 3: You notice your colleague, Mark, making dark jokes about not wanting to be around anymore and giving away some of his favorite possessions.

Scenario 4: Your teenager, Emily, has been struggling with anxiety and tells you she feels overwhelmed by school and social pressures, often having panic attacks.

Scenario 5: Your friend, Liam, has recently started therapy and seems to be making progress, but he still has bad days and sometimes feels discouraged.

Scenario 6: You're at a gathering, and someone makes a dismissive comment about mental illness, saying it's "all in people's heads" or "just an excuse."

Scenario 7: After a difficult period, your friend Maya tells you she's feeling much better and has found new coping strategies. She seems genuinely happier.