QUESTION:
One of my good friends has been going through a rough time lately and its really starting to affect her. I think she would benefit from talking to someone with more experience than someone her age but she’s very resistant to the idea. Is there anyone at the church I could recommend her to go see?
ANSWER:
Thank you for caring enough about your friend to help her get someone to talk to. There are lots of people that can talk to your friend from a trusted adult, Youth Minister at a local Church, a Priest or local Pastor to a licensed counselor. If she seems despondent, depressed or a potential danger to herself and unwilling to talk to someone than it is important that she get professional help fast. If she is just in a funk and you suggest that you could stay with her if she is uncomfortable but that you think she would benefit from talking to someone maybe she is more open to that.
There are also many anonymous help lines that she can call to speak to someone who can direct her on the path to finding help and healing.
Without more information about what she is going through it is difficult for me to recommend a phone number to call. It sounds like you have recognized that she is having a problem and that talking to someone is a good step in the right direction. Trust your instincts and help her make the first step. And as always- pray for her.