It may be difficult to know how best to help your friends with their problems. Nobody likes to see the people they care about struggling or unhappy. 

But what is the best way to help a friend with their problem? Here are 3 tips:

1. First of all, listen. 

It can be tempting to want to rush in and help people straight away. 

Often though, people just want to be listened to and feel heard. 

Give your friend the chance to talk openly about how they feel. Don't offer advice, judge, compare their situation with someone else's or share your thoughts straight away.

Just listening to them may be enough for them to feel better. 

2. Ask - what can I do to help you? 

Once you've listened and you feel you understand your friend's problem or how they are feeling, ask the simple question, '' what can I do to help you''? 

This will gently guide them to consider the possibility that someone may be able to help them. 

Asking the question also demonstrates you care about them and are willing to help. 

If you're able to help your friend with their problem, great! Do what you can, as long as it doesn't negatively affect you or anyone else. 

Be prepared for your friend to say that there's nothing you (or even anyone else) can do to help them. This doesn't make you a bad friend so don't feel disheartened. Don't take on responsibility for fixing your friend's problem. 

Many problems are complex and require time or help from someone experienced. 

3. Consider getting further guidance. 

If the problem is something small but something you're not experienced in - encourage your friend to ask someone else for guidance. Offer to help them do this if you wish. There's no rule saying we have to find the solution to our problems alone. People can and want to help. Know who they are and speak to them. 

Remember - if you feel your friend's problem puts them or someone else in danger, it's important that you report this. 

Speak to an adult you trust. If the situation is school-related: speak to a teacher or make an anonymous report using the SHARP system. 

Staying silent and doing nothing at times when you feel you really should, may be harmful. Even if you're not 100% sure you're friend's problem or situation needs guidance from an adult, it's best to report and let the relevant people decide. All SHARP reports are responded to both quickly and discreetly.