How to Support a Friend Struggling with Anxiety or Suicidal Thoughts

August 27, 2025
Posted by Margie Crespo
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Most of us know someone who struggles with anxiety or has faced thoughts of suicide. But when the moment comes, it can feel overwhelming: What do you say to them? What if you say the wrong thing? The truth is you don’t have to be a therapist to make a difference. Small acts of care, presence, and understanding can provide powerful support.

You can start by learning how to show up with compassion, choosing words that comfort rather than dismiss, and creating space where your friend feels safe. Real experiences, like those seen in therapy sessions using TouchPoints™, show how calming tools can make tough conversations more manageable for both people involved.

Why Your Support Matters

Suicide prevention is not just about crisis lines or clinical care, it also happens in everyday conversations. Research shows that social connection is one of the strongest protective factors against suicide (CDC, 2024). Checking in on a friend, listening to their worries, and showing consistent care can help interrupt cycles of isolation and hopelessness.

But supporting a friend can also be emotionally challenging. Anxiety and fear may rise in you, making it harder to remain steady. That’s why learning how to ground yourself while being present for someone else is just as important as the words you choose. This is what TouchPoint Solution calls Healthy Relationships—building authentic connections that make people feel seen, supported, and safe.

Case Study Spotlight: Alyssa’s Work in Therapy

Alyssa, a trauma therapist, uses TouchPoints during her clients’ most difficult sessions. She noticed that when clients wore the devices, they felt calmer and more grounded even while processing painful experiences.

Clients reported leaving sessions with more energy, a sense of control, and even the ability to rest well afterward, something they couldn’t do before. Alyssa herself observed reduced emotional reactivity, making it easier for clients to stay engaged rather than becoming overwhelmed.

Her experience shows how subtle tools can create calm in overwhelming moments. Just as TouchPoints helped her clients regulate emotions during intense therapy, they can also help a friend at home feel safer when opening up about anxiety or suicidal thoughts.

See Alyssa’s full case study here

What to Say (and Not to Say)

When someone is in distress, words matter. Supportive language can open the door to conversation, while dismissive phrases can shut it down.

Say: “I’m here for you. Take your time.” or “You’re not alone in this.”
Avoid: “Just calm down” or “Other people have it worse.”

Empathy and validation build trust, while minimizing language can make a friend feel dismissed. These small things may not fix everything, but they remind your friend that they have you to lean on, their feelings are valid, and they matter.

This is where Mindfulness comes in—staying present, listening actively, and letting go of the pressure to “fix” the problem. Your calm presence itself can help reduce their sense of isolation.

Recognizing When to Encourage Professional Help

As much as friends can do, some situations require more. Warning signs that it may be time to suggest professional support include:

Talking about hopelessness or not wanting to live
Withdrawing from daily activities or relationships
Increased use of alcohol or substances
Dramatic mood swings or impulsive behavior

If you notice these, gently encourage them to reach out to a therapist, doctor, or crisis service. Remind them that seeking help is a strength, not a weakness. (If there’s immediate danger, call 988 in the U.S. for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)

Small Ways You Can Help a Friend

Supporting someone doesn’t mean you need all the answers. What matters most is showing up consistently and with empathy. Here are small but powerful ways you can help:

Check in with a quick text or call: “Thinking of you today. How are you holding up?”
Offer to sit and listen without judgment or advice.
Encourage self-care, whether it’s a walk, a meal, or rest.
Suggest calming aids like TouchPoints, which can provide non-invasive relief during anxious moments. Alyssa’s clients found that TouchPoints helped them leave therapy calmer and more in control, and the same principle can bring comfort to a friend outside of a clinical setting.
Practice Healthy Thinking and Mindfulness by grounding yourself first—so you can stay steady while being a source of comfort.

Your support could save a life.

Whether through kind words, consistent check-ins, or sharing tools like TouchPoints, you can support both yourself and the people you care about during life’s hardest moments. Alyssa’s clients experienced how TouchPoints helped them stay calm and grounded during difficult sessions, and the same sense of steadiness can make a difference in supporting a loved one outside of therapy.

If you know someone carrying heavy anxiety or suicidal thoughts, take a step today: reach out, listen, and offer support.

Explore how TouchPoints can bring calm to both you and your loved one during life’s most difficult conversations.