Im useless..

[coolkitty1934]

i have 3 friends around me all of them are severely depressed and i cant do anything to help! i try and try but its not helping...if i dont try harder and do more for all of them then i could end up losing people i care about because i wasnt good enough to help them i dont want that to happen to me again

[Roxylox]

Don't beat yourself up. There is only so much you can do. You must look after you. Their recovery is up to them at the end of the day.

[bethelbee in reply to Roxylox]

I agree ! You can only do so much. Don't try so hard it may be counterproductive. All you can do is give them your support and be there for them.

[AdamFCastillo31]

Don't think that way, I know you are a good friend. Things take time to get resolved. Don't worry just keep supporting them as you know emotional support is much needed to get out of depression situation, Have any of your friends tried counseling/therapy to get out of this mental health issue.

[coolkitty1934 in reply to AdamFCastillo31]

yeah they have but its not helping them

[Blueruth]

This is completely unfair to you. It is manipulation whether they intend it or not. They need to call someone or you need to call someone if they will not. It is not fair to ask you to... do what? That is the rub you see. You feel useless but there is nothing you can do. The one thing to do is to turn it over to professionals.

Some people make the relationship about their illness. This happened to a relative. Her mother used to say she would harm herself and then refuse help. They could never really have a healthy relationship again. That is what you are facing if you do not get yourself out of those conversations.

[coolkitty1934 in reply to Blueruth]

but they are online friends-we have seen each others faces before but i mean its not like they know i have 2 others relying on me.Its not like i can just reject one of them what if causes them to die?i cant turn it over to professionals when i dont even know where they live or even their last names

[bethelbee in reply to coolkitty1934]

Your 'rejection' of one is not going to cause them to die. Whatever happens to them is up to them, not you. I know you think you are helping, but you need to look out for your own mental health. Just he there to support them, that's all you can do.

[Ryanlion in reply to bethelbee]

I agree you are not responsible for these online friends. Tell them you care about them but are not there to take care of them, that is up to them to seek the help they need. There are many solutions to depression and they must try and make the effort to use them. You are not an agony aunt or a sounding board. Bless you, you are a caring individual and they may be taking advantage of that. I dont know. When you talk to them but i would suggest asking them what they did each day that gave some improvement. If they arent trying to help themselves, then nothing you say or do will matter. If they do make efforts, praise them & give encouragement But firstly think of your own well being, you are inportant too. Maybe find happy friends to balance the scales. Take care.

[coolkitty1934 in reply to Ryanlion]

these friends were all happy once but yeah your right i will try asking how they are trying to improve themselves

[coolkitty1934 in reply to bethelbee]

i know that but it just feels wrong...

[bethelbee in reply to coolkitty1934]

As many have said you are not responsible for their actions, they are. We can't fix everyone we'd like to. I know you're trying to help them, but they need to help themselves.