Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
JlolSenior Contributor
My closest friends (male) are very down. One even attempted s****de not long ago.
I feel I can't support them very well because I also feel the same as them, and most days I just don't have the energy or mental capacity.
Of course, they know about the support lines and some are engaged with MH professionals, but that doesn't seem to help.
I'm really worried we're going to lose someone this year and I don't know what to do.
In response to: Really worried about my mates
RiverSealModerator
Hey @Jlol, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with the community!
I'm sorry to hear that you and your friends are going through what sounds like a really challenging time. You are demonstrating your strength and resilience by reaching out to your peers here on the Forums.
It's great that you have this peer support on the Forums but I am curious about your friends if they use it too? I appreciate that you have the crisis support numbers and some MH professionals and wonder how much engagement you and your friends have?
I know from my own MH challenges how hard it is to see past how you feel in the moment and to be future focused. I do believe that recovery is possible for everyone and we are the experts of our own journeys. So we know what is best for us and our situations.
Having you and your friends checked your elligability for the Guided Recovery program here at SANE? You can speak with a peer worker who gets how you feel and might have been through something similar in their own journey.
I encourage you to continue to reach out to the community here on the Forums!
Take care
RiverSeal
In response to: Re: Really worried about my mates
JlolSenior Contributor
Thanks @RiverSeal
I don't think they would find the forums useful, I'm sorry.
Don't take this the wrong way, but sometimes these forums don't really feel like they're that inclusive to some groups sometimes.
I might try to suggest the Guided Recovery program to some of them though.
In response to: Re: Really worried about my mates
JynxModerator
Hey @Jlol I'm really sorry to hear about what's happening with your mates. I can imagine the hardest part is feeling helpless to be able to support them, especially when you're also just trying to keep your head afloat. Do you and your mates tend to be open about mental health stuff with each other? I know stigma can make it soooo hard hey. Like do you think they're open to seeking MH support or pretty wary/skeptical of it?
Also, curious about your comment about inclusivity on forums - if you're up for expanding a bit more on your thoughts I'd be curious to hear them! However I know that's not the purpose of this thread so don't feel like you have to answer, esp if it's not where your head is at rn 😉
Here for you friend 💜
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
Fields marked * are required
