Fourthly, once they open their hearts and minds up to you, try and cheer them up. Going out and doing something you don’t usually do together is a good way to start. The distraction and sense of newness adds to their excitement, will forge a bond of friendship between the two of you, and will hopefully benefit both of you. If that does not seem to work as well as you’d hoped, gently suggesting professional help (keeping in mind that most people may take offence to that suggestion) and convincing that person to seek it would be the next step to take. Do remember to be neither too intrusive nor too distant though. Consistency in behaviour is key. Even if they want the distance, please do not disappear completely from their lives. That sends the wrong signals.
Finally, just continue to be a good friend. Read up more on the topic. Empathise. Hug more often. If you cannot help someone, please find somebody who can. Be a joy to the people who live, work and exist around you. Because they need you, just as you need them too, irrespective of how many friends or family members you may have anyway. Let us all join hands and bring in a little more sunshine into each others’ lives. Because we can.
Enakshi Nandi is a major in Literature and Linguistics, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Linguistics from JNU, New Delhi. She adores watching movies, reading, singing, chilling with her friends and family when she is not doing what she loves the most of all: eating and sleeping
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