Advice

How to Support a Friend Who's Struggling Emotionally

When someone we love is struggling, most of us feel two things at once: a genuine desire to help, and a quiet fear that we'll say the wrong thing.

That fear is worth acknowledging. It comes from caring. But it can also cause us to pull back at exactly the moment someone needs us to step forward.

Here's what actually helps — and what to gently avoid.

What Actually Helps