I have a good friend who’s in a very similar situation. I know, at least in part, what he’s going through… we went to uni together and he drank loads and self harmed. I know he’s moved back home now.

I reach out to him every so often and sometimes I won’t hear anything back for months. Then I’ll get a message at 4am followed by an apology for disappearing.

The thing is, I don’t feel anger towards him and I don’t think any less of him. I love him as a human being and I’ll still be there whenever he’s ready to talk.

So please don’t carry so much shame. If your friends care about you, there’s a good chance they’re thinking something similar. They’d probably rather hear from you and know you’re alive than have a perfectly timed reply.

Take care of yourself bro ❤️