How to Help a Friend

     If a friend was in trouble, most people would do anything possible to help that friend. I know that for me, I would help my friend as much as I possibly could. I would do anything within my abilities. However, what happens if the friend changes? How do you know if it's positive? One of my friends is going through a really hard time right now. This person has just gotten out of a relationship and due to that, has been triggered into a depression. I see so much of my little sister in my friend as of right now. It is scary. To have this person that I love like family to suffer through similar things that my sister herself suffered through, and to feel powerless is something new. With my sister, I was able to help by helping to deal with situations and by being strong to help my family. However I don't want to intrude into the personal life of my friend.
     My other friends feel that confrontation previously, was the best way to go about this situation. After taking classes on illnesses and how to deal with the people who undergo them, I strongly objected. I tried to explain that the person was like a whole new different person, and I don't think that they completely understood. It is a hard concept to understand. In our heads , we still want that person who is suffering to take the punishment for the actions of hurting the people that they did, however the people who did the hurting do not really realize what they are doing beforehand. They change and for some it becomes harder to remember that period of time. The best way to show our support is to just remain friends with the person until they get better and to display our support for them. That's what they truly need.
    I am going to see if over spring break, I can go and visit this person. Maybe try to help out more at various hospitals that deal with people whom have similar types of problems. I just hope that my friend gets better and gets the help that this person needs.
    And hey, if this person that I am talking about is reading this, then please feel better and realize that we all miss you so much!!!