The Teen Survival Guide to Dating & Relating: Real-World Advice on Guys, Girls, Growing Up, and Getting Along

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146 The Teen Survival Guide to Dating and Relating

It’s natural for a person to feel down or depressed after a breakup. But, in

this case, your friend’s feelings are more serious. Anytime a friend talks about

suicide, take it seriously and get some adult help. Reach out to a parent, a teacher,

a school counselor, your principal, a religious leader, or anyone else you trust

to handle the situation. If you can’t find a trusted adult to talk with face-to-face,

call a crisis hotline to talk to a trained counselor.

The Power to Prevent Suicide: A Guide for Teens Helping Teens by Richard E. Nelson,

Ph.D., and Judith C. Galas (Minneapolis: Free Spirit Publishing Inc., 1994). This

practical guide explains the causes of suicide, how to recognize the warning

signs, and how to reach out to save a life.

American Suicide Survival Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

This crisis hotline, staffed by trained counselors, is available twenty-four hours

a day, seven days a week.

Girls and Boys Town National Hotline

1-800-448-3000

You can call this crisis hotline anytime, twenty-four hours a day. You’ll talk to a

professional counselor who will listen and give you advice on any issue (suicide,

depression, and other problems). Online, go to: http://www.boystown.org/AboutUs/

hotline/Pages/CrisisHotline.aspx

Support takes all forms, and the give-and-take isn’t always exactly equal in

a friendship (but it doesn’t have to be). Friends might play different roles; for

example, one person might usually give advice, while the other person seems to

have all the problems. The relationship can still be a healthy, two-way street, as

long as bothfriends know they can get support when they need it. What happens