Ask Ava + COVID-19: How To Help When a Friend's Behavior Changes
Ask Ava + COVID-19: How To Help When a Friend's Behavior Changes
This is a special series of Ask Ava podcasts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarantine or isolation can be difficult for everyone. For some friends, a worldwide crisis such as COVID-19 can be a trigger for further changes in their behavior. Stressful situations or issues they may already be dealing with, whether you know or not, include past or current dating abuse, abuse from family, bullying, substance abuse issues, self-harm, anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts. We’re going to explore today how to help a friend.
This is Jessica Skultety, Community Outreach Associate at Safe+Sound Somerset. We are Somerset County NJ’s lead domestic violence organization.
Today’s question from local teens is: “What can I do if my friend suddenly starts acting differently?”
There’s actually a lot you can do as a concerned friend! When tensions are high, and there’s a lot of uncertainty, keeping in touch with friends, especially those who might be struggling in different areas of their lives, can make a lot of difference. First, it’s good to know what might be some unique differences that you can look for in a friend’s behavior so that you can intervene effectively.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration lists some signs of a friend's distress. These signs include increase of substance use, worrying excessively, and self-isolating or wanting to be left alone. Just because people cannot leave their homes much right now, because of COVID-19, this doesn't mean anyone should stop communicating with others entirely, so be aware of that.
You might notice them describing physical signs including loss of appetite or stomachaches.
Emotionally, your friend might have higher anxiety, which is common in times of worldwide crisis but it’s still important to recognize and talk to them about. Your friend might have increased signs of depression, guilt, not caring about anything, or overwhelming sadness. You might notice that they have trouble remembering things, they might act confused, or have difficulty communicating with you.
So those are some of the signs you should watch out for, and as mentioned before, there are a lot of ways that you can help your friend. Talk or video chat with them – spending time with someone can help a lot, even if you're not talking about how they feel all the time. Do something fun, right? – play games, watch videos together, engage in a craft – whatever you enjoy doing.
Support them – listen to how they feel. If you know someone is in danger, don't hesitate – call 911. Talk to a trusted adult in your life if you're concerned for a friend in general, and they can support you and guide you towards steps that might be necessary.
Please know that as a friend, hotlines are also available for you to call or text.
· The Safe+Sound Somerset Call and Text Hotline is 24/7, confidential and free: 866-685-1122. Our hotline can be used for questions about dating abuse as a concerned friend or family member, safety planning, information about our services, and in crisis.
· The NJ Hopeline Suicide Prevention Warm line number is 1-855-654-6735. They also have an Online Chat Forum on their website, which is http://www.njhopeline.com/
· Finally, the 2nd Floor Youth Call or Text Warm line is confidential and anonymous helpline for New Jersey's youth and young adults. We are here to help you find solutions to the problems that you face at home, at school or at play. The number is 888-222-2228 and they also have a message board on their website – www.2ndfloor.org
Reaching out, spending time with your friend, and knowing when to get help can make all the difference! Thank you for listening today. Join us next time here on Ask Ava.