Advice about helping a friend

Can I call ChildLine if my friend is having problems?

Yes.

Part of being a good mate is helping your friends when they are having problems. If one of your mates is sad or upset, this can make you unhappy too.

ChildLine is here for you to talk to even if it isn't you that is having problems. You can talk to us about anything that is making you sad or unhappy and we are here to listen and help you.

I'm worried about one of my friends, what can I do?

If one of your mates is having problems or is having a bad time, ChildLine can help you to help them. If you know why your friend is having a bad time, take a look at our Help and Advice section to find out more about their problem.

• Try and talk to your friend and ask them to tell you what is wrong.
• Don't be upset if they don't want to talk to you. It might be very difficult for them to speak about what is wrong, especially if they are scared or worried about what will happen if they do talk.
• If they don't want to talk to you, suggest that they talk to a teacher or someone else they trust, about what is happening.
• If you think your friend might be in danger or are really worried about them, you could tell an appropriate adult, such as a parent or teacher, about the problem, even if your friend doesn't want to talk to anyone.
• If there isn't anyone they feel that they can speak to, they can call ChildLine at any time to talk to someone who can help them.

Will telling someone about my friend make me a grass?

No, telling an adult if your friend is having problems won't make you a grass, if you are worried about them. It's hard to support your friends alone if their problems are serious. It's natural that your friend might not want to tell anyone, and it might be because they are scared. It's OK to talk to someone if you are worried, even if your friend says that they don't want you to.

You can call us at any time, to talk to someone in confidence about your friends and how you can help them.