What should I do in this situation?

[pure_angel]

Okay so my friend (she’s still in high school) is in need of help. She was raised Catholic but doesn’t believe in God anymore. I read her Tumblr posts and notice she is extremely sad inside and doesn’t know what to do. I responded to her first post on Tumblr saying that I would pray for her and that’s all I can do without interfering. I haven’t talked to her since then. She posted again on Tumblr detailing her troubles.

P.S. How should I talk to her without sounding like I’m lecturing her? How should she tell her parents about this?

I just want to be there for her.

 

[AKDee]

Okay so my friend (she’s still in high school) is in need of help. She was raised Catholic but doesn’t believe in God anymore. I read her Tumblr posts and notice she is extremely sad inside and doesn’t know what to do. I responded to her first post on Tumblr saying that I would pray for her and that’s all I can do without interfering. I haven’t talked to her since then. She posted again on Tumblr detailing her troubles.

P.S. How should I talk to her without sounding like I’m lecturing her? How should she tell her parents about this?

I just want to be there for her.

You can be there for her, and witness for Christ, without saying a word about religion or God. I assume she knows you’re a Catholic Christian. Be kind, be there for her, listen to her, give her good advice, help her in any way you can. Treat her as Christ would treat her. If you aren’t trying to shove religion down her throat, but only showing in your actions the way your faith in Christ calls you to help others, that may be the thing that later draws her to Christ.

If she shows any interest, you might invite her to attend Mass with you, or to attend a Church activity, but don’t push it because people being pushed tend to dig in and push back.

 

[Billy112]

Pray!

 

[nodito]

The above advice is good. You just said “sad” and didn’t detail what the specific problems are, so I’ll only add that if you think there’s ANY risk of her harming herself, you need to tell a trusted adult right away.

 

[pure_angel]

Here is more detail of what I should’ve posted in my first post. Yes she knows I am a Catholic. Her dad was the director of the Newman Center for my university last year. That’s how I met her.

There was a post on Tumblr but she deleted it. It went along the lines of ‘I feel like I don’t have a future for myself. The only reason I am keeping up is for the one person I love (boyfriend). How do I tell my parents that I don’t believe in God anymore? I wish this would end. How will I tell my parents that I can’t sit through class and not do my homework? I can’t stop crying over this. Why is this so hard?’

 

[lax16]

Here is more detail of what I should’ve posted in my first post. Yes she knows I am a Catholic. Her dad was the director of the Newman Center for my university last year. That’s how I met her.

There was a post on Tumblr but she deleted it. It went along the lines of ‘I feel like I don’t have a future for myself. The only reason I am keeping up is for the one person I love (boyfriend). How do I tell my parents that I don’t believe in God anymore? I wish this would end. How will I tell my parents that I can’t sit through class and not do my homework? I can’t stop crying over this. Why is this so hard?’

She seems depressed. Keep an eye on that if possible and notify her parents if necessary.

Maybe you can do things with her for fun. If she wants to talk about religion, great. If not, then just hang out and get to know her.

 

[nodito]

There was a post on Tumblr but she deleted it. It went along the lines of ‘I feel like I don’t have a future for myself. The only reason I am keeping up is for the one person I love (boyfriend). How do I tell my parents that I don’t believe in God anymore? I wish this would end. How will I tell my parents that I can’t sit through class and not do my homework? I can’t stop crying over this. Why is this so hard?’

I would absolutely tell the parents. It doesn’t have to be a big deal: “Hi Mrs. M, I hope I’m not being out of line here. I saw a post of Suzy’s on Tumblr that made me concerned. She’s since deleted it but it said something about not seeing a future for herself and being in pain and wanting it all to end. I thought you should know because this is beyond my ability to offer help. I hope you don’t mind my writing to you. Sincerely, Mary.”