Hollywood Popular Artists

Jun 13th 2012, 15:03

"Teen Mom" returned for its final season, and one thing is certain: being a young mom doesn't get easy.

Maci and Ryan can't seem to agree on anything; Catelynn and Tyler's emotional roller coaster after the adoption continues; and, Farrah moved away to Florida for school, having no choice but to raise Sophia on her own. But it was Amber that we saw struggle to maintain a healthy and happy life as a mom -- but with the help of family, friends, and caring doctors, the teen mom was able to step away from dark times to focus on her recovery.

The fourth and final season's second episode, which aired last night after the season premiere, begins with Gary's emergency 9-1-1 call after Amber threatened to take her own life. Gary, the father of Amber's 2-year-old daughter Leah, was key in ensuring Amber's safety and well-being, modeling the good behavior by family and friends that ultimately saves lives.

For Gary, the signs were clear -- Amber had shared plans to take her life with him over the phone. But other times, the signs aren't so clear but they are there. Here are some common signs that a friend needs help dealing with emotional issues or a mental health problem, from Half Of Us:

• Depression or apathy that interferes with obligations or participating in social activities
• Lack of coping skills around day-to-day problems or extreme reactions to certain situations
• Extreme highs, referred to as mania, that may include rushed thoughts, bursts of energy, sleeplessness and compulsive behavior (like excessive spending or promiscuous sexual behavior)
• Severe anxiety or stress
• Constant feelings of sadness or hopelessness
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Everyone runs into challenges when simply balancing our daily lives, and many of us often stress out, get overwhelmed, and cope in different ways. But remember that it is always okay to seek help for you or a friend. There are various treatment options that can help before things get out of hand. For more on how to be there for a friend and tips on what you can say to them, visit Half Of Us.

If you or a friend needs immediate help, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.

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