*Health issues>>>Mental Health issues

my daughter's best friend has just been diagnosed as being bipolar(depressed) what should I do?

Issue
She tried to commit suicide at school in the bathroom by taking pills and she is also a cutter or self mutiliator. They're the best of friends my daughter is handling this ok she is happy her friend is getting help but what should we expect from her friend-do I still have sleepovers or let my daughter sleep over her house like they use to-this is all new to me I just want the little girl to get well (she is 12) I just need some serious advice please

Best Tip

I've been through it. Sometimes I wonder(as well as most of my old class mates) how I managed to survive. Between the massive doses of pshyciatric drugs, and the pain I was trying to deal with I almost died a few times. But I had my friends. To some the scars draw attention and it's mostly surface. It's like, if you don't understand why I'm doing this to myself then you don't care. But it's wierd because it's also like saying, don't mess with me. It takes a real connection to even get close to people with heavy problems. Sounds like your daughter has those bonds and her friend needs her. Sure she should sleep over. Chances are she only acts out when she's pissed off or alone and depressed. If she's social she's less likely to drag herself down. Just monitor her moods and if she's too upset when she comes over end the visit politely. And welcome her back when she feels better. If you hugged the girl before keep hugging her and let her know you don't judge her. And don't talk about her negatively around your daughter, be positive and concerned, but don't nag. Keep the lines of communication open and you should be able to see if it's affecting your daughter harmfully. Not to mention she'll be more prone to tell you if her friend is acting desperate. Hopefully she'll get control soon, especially if she has a good support network.

Others
yes...that last thing the other little girl needs is to lose her friends right now...
don't try and force them apart now or they will grow an even stronger bond to one another
Talk to her mother to determine if she's being treated and how severe the depression is.

At 12 your daughter is much to young to be just thrown into this.

Then you make the decision every day how they should interact...with very little alone time.

It's a terrible thing to happen to your daughters friend but your main concern is to protect your daughter both mentally & physcially.
Those with bipolar disorder tend to go through "phases";one week they are happy and cheerful,another week they might be sad and suicidal.

I suggest you stop the sleepovers until the girl is stabilized
My brother was bi-polar, he tried to cope with medication, but he ended up committing suicide 2 years ago. I hope that girl is getting treatment. There is hope, but not a lot of it, for new drugs. Encourage your daughter to be supportive, but tell her to keep an eye out for destructive thoughts and actions, and report them to you right away. There could be signs that she is going to suicide again sucessfully.
Let them keep being friends. The girl is probably getting help by taking some medication. Just make sure your daughter remains supportive. Many successful people have bipolar, it is not the end of the world. Ted Turner, a business tycoon has bipolar and he is a millionaire.