I think she's depressed

Blondie86Star

A friend of mine, to which I used to be close to in school, kind of lost contact with but now have become close to again, well I think shes depressed. Over the past 3 months I have seen her slowely decline, she drinks so much now, heavily 4-5 times a week, doesnt sleep, has been bursting into tears a lot, and just been so down. I know stuff has been going on with her, when she was drunk one night she told me how guilty she feels resonsible for a family members death, and thinks life would be better if she wasnt around, and how she finds drink such as escape. This is really infringing on her as a person. Her dad is quite sick and I think shes scared of loosing someone so close again. During the week she got really drunk, really really drunk and said and did some things that caused people to be hurt. I feel like I don know what to do for her. We're in different colleges n dont see each other that much but i can see such a change in her over this past while. I have noticed just general things that i have looked up and things are pointing to depression.
But I dont know what to do?
Please help

im_invisible

take some time out next weekend, or whenever youll see her, to have a chat with her about it, suggest she should maybe go see a GP, who might prescribe anti-depressants, or not, depending.
i dont know what to do about her drinking, it probably does help her, but the amount she needs to help is maybe more than she can handle, people who suffer from depression can be hard to be around when they're drinking (i know, i used to be one, still am), and, well, if she is put on anti-depressants, id like to say she could still enjoy a few drinks, but she probably needs more than just a few to 'enjoy' herself, (or just to cope).
i dont know, talk to her, tell her youre worried about her, about her drinking so much, be there for her, i suppose, but dont be afraid to let her know if shes done something really selfish/ hurtfull.
good luck

InFront

Most colleges offer free and confidential counselling to students, although the waiting list may vary depending on the institution.
Also if she's in Trinity, DCU, UCD, DIT or the RCSI then perhaps she should contact Niteline, which is designed for informally talking things out with a fellow student in a sort of 'uninvolved' confidence.
Is she away from home? College can be a stressful enough place without having those additional stresses. Do you know any of her family members well enough to suggest your worries to them, or would it help do you think?

Black Swan

Encourage her to see a counsellor.