Brought to you by LYONS Tea supporting Pieta House.

Knowing your friend is going through a tough time can be hard.

You want to help but it is not always obvious what the best way to handle the situation is. If your friend is feeling depressed or suicidal it becomes even harder, but there are ways to give them a helping hand. Here are a few things you can do to help a friend in need. Be there to listen Never underestimate the power of lending an ear. Making yourself available for a friend going through a hard time is one of the best things you can do. Take them seriously If your friend says they are feeling anxious, depressed or suicidal, take them seriously. It will have taken them a lot of courage to speak out about how they are feeling so take on board what they are saying and believe them when they decide to talk. Show buckets of compassion Showing compassion and understanding is key when helping a friend through a rough patch. Don't judge or make assumptions, simply do your best to be caring and always consider how they are feeling. Simple things like dropping them a text or popping in on your way home from work might seem small to you but it could make a huge difference to them. Get informed You don't have to know all the answers straight away. Mental health is a complex area and no two people are the same. But there are lots of great websites out there to help you to understand their situation and give you advice on how to help them through it. Encourage them to talk To you, to a family member, to a GP or to an organisation such as Pieta House. Seeking professional help is a brilliant step towards recovery. Encourage your friend to make an appointment to talk through their concerns. Continue to support them If your friend does talk to a professional do not just assume that's that. Your friend will still need you there to support them throughout their mental health journey. Continue to support them and don't forget to still do all the fun things you normally do like weekend shopping trips and Friday night dinners. LYONS Tea has been at the centre of conversations in Irish households for generations. Many a problem has been shared over a cup of their tea. That's why LYONS is delighted to support Pieta House to raise awareness for the services they provide and to get the nation talking about mental health issues. Pieta House offers free help and support for people experiencing suicidal ideation, suicidal bereavement or engaging in self-harm. To get involved in the conversation LYONS Tea with the support of Pieta House will host a #TimeToTalk event in association with JOE.ie and Her.ie on October 10, for details of the event and to sign up click here.