TELL PEOPLE ABOUT FRIEND'S DEPRESSION?

Dear Jellybean,

My good friend is diagnosed with some sort of depression and she doesn't like to tell people. She really gets on peoples nerves and I want to tell them that the only reason she over reacts to everything is becuase she is depressed, my other friend has the same problem with another girl in her school. she doesn't come to me for help so i dont know what to do. -what should I do?

Dear Writer,

Don't tell them. Your friend's diagnosis is a very personal matter, that she has decided to share with you in confidence. You must not break that confidence and blab her secret to anyone, even if you have the very best of intentions.

I think this is mostly about your own embarrassment. It's normal for you to sometimes get embarrassed by your friend's over-reactions to other people. But you need to find a way to stick by your friend, without explaining to others why you're doing it. Everyone goes through problems in life, whether it's depression or family troubles or a breakup. Be there for your friend, listen when she needs to talk, and don't leak her secrets to those she hasn't chosen to share them with. Don't gossip about your friend's problem with other friends, and think they'll keep it secret either. They won't - they'll tell "just one friend" in private, and that person will tell one person, and so on... until everyone knows.