You may feel uneasy about talking to your friends.

‘I didn't want my friends to see my mum after she got sick. I didn't want them to think less of her. I didn't want them to think less of me.’

But talking helps.

‘I bottled it all up for so long. When I got older I decided to talk to my friends. They were all cool about it. I felt closer to them and it made me feel better.’

Start by talking to a friend you trust.

‘I did tell two of my closest friends. One acted mean about it. I'm no longer friends with her. And the other friend accepted it and we're like family now.’

But take it slow.

‘I use to say “Mum's sick and I do all the housework". Now I take it slow. I start with “I'm going to help Mum do the groceries”. I can test the waters and not worry if I said too much.'

And bond over how you are similar.

‘I didn't realise we were doing the same thing. She turned out to care for someone as well. We now sometimes go hiking to relax and talk about it all.’