When teens struggle, they almost always turn to their friends first.

As mental health concerns rise and resilience declines, more adolescents feel pressured to be “the strong one” or the unofficial therapist in their friend group. Teens often ask me, “What do I say when my friend tells me they don’t want to live anymore?” Parents ask similar questions: “How do I support my daughter when her friends constantly unload on her? I can see how much it weighs on her.”

Here are practical ways adults can support teens who feel responsible for helping struggling friends:

Ask your teen directly. Teens rarely volunteer that they feel overwhelmed. A simple question — “Do your friends ever come to you about tough things?” — opens the door. You’ll often sense relief that someone finally noticed.

Vali

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