We All Need a BYOU Friend to Talk To

A long read about real connection, practical support, and a kinder way to care for our minds

Life gets heavy sometimes. Stress stacks up, self doubt gets loud, and it can feel like everyone else has it figured out except you. In those moments, the difference between spiraling and finding your footing is often just one thing. A kind voice that says you are not alone, I hear you, and I am here.

That is the heart of BYOU Friend. It is a simple idea with a powerful promise. Real people for real moments. Not an artificial chatbot trying to mimic empathy. Not a wall of automated tips when you are at your limit.

BYOU Friend is the gentle return to what has always healed us best. Human connection.

In this guide you will learn what BYOU Friend is, how it works, who the BYOU Friends are, and how the BYOU community wraps friendship together with professional guidance through coaches, therapists, nutrition experts, beauty and holistic practitioners. You will see how BYOU Credits make care practical and accessible, how donated credits change lives, and how you can join the movement. You will also find a detailed section on safety, crisis support, and World Suicide Prevention guidance, followed by expert spotlights and a clear path to get started today.

If you need someone to talk to right now, the BYOU app is open. If you want to become the person who shows up for someone else, you are in the right place too.

What is BYOU Friend

BYOU Friend is the peer to peer chat inside the BYOU app where teens and young adults can connect with a real person around their own age. It is not an AI chatbot. It is a safe space to share what is going on, be heard without judgment, and remember that you belong. BYOU Friend exists because while chatbots can copy words, they cannot carry warmth. They cannot laugh with you at the right moment or sit with your silence in a way that feels safe. A real friend can.

The BYOU Friend experience is designed to be simple. Open the app. Request a Friend. Share a little about what you need. Get matched with a vetted volunteer who is there to listen. No pressure. No lectures. Just presence.

The goal is not to fix you. You are not broken. The goal is to give you company while you figure out your next step and to make sure you know where to find more support if you want it.

Who are BYOU Friends

BYOU Friends are carefully vetted volunteers. They are not clinicians and they do not pretend to be. They are relatable, patient, and kind. They are students, creators, helpers, and everyday people who remember what it feels like to be overwhelmed and who care enough to show up.

Here is what to expect from a BYOU Friend

• A compassionate person who listens

• A calm presence when you feel anxious or stuck

• Someone who will not judge you for how you feel

• A peer who can help you explore simple next steps

• A bridge into the wider BYOU community if you want professional support

BYOU Friends are trained in active listening, supportive communication, and safety basics. They understand the boundaries of their role. They will not give medical advice. They will not pressure you. They will encourage you to reach out to a professional when that is the right move.

If this sounds like you and you want to be a light for someone else, you can apply to become a BYOU Friend. Visit the BYOU Friend page and send in your application. Every approved Friend helps us keep the circle strong.

Friends Who Care and Experts Who Guide

Growth happens in good company. Sometimes we need a friend beside us. Sometimes we need a guide who has walked the road many times and can help us navigate the turns. BYOU is built on both. Your BYOU Friends offer companionship and care. BYOU experts offer coaching, therapy, nutrition, fitness, beauty as self care, energy work, and more. Together they form a circle of support so you can be your own you.

Here are a few of the many experts on the platform who are ready to help you move forward

• Amanda Maloney, author and mindset coach for transformation

• Jose Alvarado, health coach for stress management

• Rima Itani, life and leadership coach

You will meet many more mentors and practitioners later in this article. Each one brings a unique path to feeling better and doing better.

The BYOU Credit System

Access made simple, with the power to give

Mental wellbeing should be accessible to everyone, everywhere. That vision is why we created BYOU Credits. One simple way to book sessions with the exact expert you choose, across the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and beyond.

Here is how credits work

• One credit equals thirty dollars

• Use credits to book coaching, therapy, breathwork, nutrition guidance, fitness, massage, and beauty as self care

• Book online sessions or bring care to your space where available

• No subscriptions and no barriers. Just pure access when you need it

What makes credits beautiful is that you can also donate them. Your donated credit becomes the moment someone else gets to talk to a therapist, coach, or guide at exactly the right time. For teens who feel lost, for students under pressure, for parents holding everything together, that single session can feel like oxygen.

This is not about numbers or wallets. It is about people helping people. Credits are just the path we use to make help arrive.

World Suicide Prevention

How we keep each other strong, every day of the year

Every forty seconds, someone in the world dies by suicide. Every one of those people had a story, a circle, a future that could still be written. World Suicide Prevention Day on September ten reminds us to talk about this openly. But prevention is not one day. It is every day we choose to notice, to ask, and to stay.

Signs to notice in yourself or someone you love

• Feeling empty or hopeless most days

• Extreme fatigue or sleeping far more or far less than usual

• Withdrawing from friends or activities

• Talking about being a burden or not wanting to be here

• Sudden calm after a period of distress which can sometimes mark a decision

Protective habits you can begin today

• Guard your sleep. Aim for a steady schedule and a gentle wind down routine

• Move your body each day. Walk, stretch, dance in your room, breathe in fresh air

• Share your feelings with someone safe. A friend, a mentor, a BYOU expert

• Build a simple daily plan. One small task, one small joy, one connection

• Reduce alcohol and substances when you feel low. They can worsen spirals

How to support someone else

• Ask simple open questions and listen. How are you really. Do you want to tell me more

• Reflect back what you hear without judgment. That sounds heavy. I am here with you

• Take all warning signs seriously. If there is any risk, involve an adult, a clinician, or a helpline

• Stay present. Sit with them, breathe with them, help them make a plan for the next hours

• Follow up the next day and the next week. Consistency communicates care

If you need immediate help

• United States. Call or text nine eight eight to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

• United Kingdom. Call one one six one two three to reach Samaritans or text shout to eight five two five eight

• Netherlands. Call one one three or visit the website of one one three Zelfmoordpreventie

• If you are elsewhere in the world, search for your country through the international suicide prevention directory from recognized public health sources or call your local emergency number

The BYOU app is a place for real support, but it is not an emergency service. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number now.

Direct Support at Your Fingertips

Inside the BYOU app you will find a Help Request feature that lets you reach out anonymously and easily. Maybe you have a single question. Maybe you want deeper guidance. Experts are available around the clock. When you send a Help Request, a real human reads it. That alone can feel like a breath.

If you prefer to explore on your own, you can browse experts by category. Coaching, therapy, breathwork, nutrition, fitness, massage, beauty, holistic care. You choose the path. You set the pace.

BYOU Credits

Your passport to wellbeing

Why should feeling better require endless subscriptions and complex forms. With BYOU you use credits, not contracts.

One credit equals thirty dollars. With one credit you can unlock coaching, guided breathwork, skin care as self care, holistic sessions, and more. You can book online. In many cities the expert can come to you. You can gift a credit to a friend who needs a lift. Companies can purchase credits for their teams to build resilience and reduce burnout.

No subscriptionsNo barriersJust access to the support you need when it matters

Wellbeing should not be a privilege reserved for a few. It should be possible for everyone.

Empowerment Begins with Our Experts

At BYOU we are guided by a passionate group of experts who devote their work to helping people rediscover their worth, rebuild confidence, and move through change with courage. They are leaders in their fields and allies in your corner. Here is a small window into the community

• Samantha Morris, Ayurveda and holistic health coach

• Monet Viens, holistic life and career coach

• Luciana Ferreira, coach for biographical counseling and technology leadership

• Stacy Braiuca, coach and consultant known as The Squirrel Wrangler, helping ambitious people turn chaos into clarity

• Christoffel Sneijders, executive coach and therapist, ICF Master Certified Coach, author and professor who blends clinical hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, NLP, and a practical model of three brain decision making

• Elizabeth Huang, life and grief coach and death doula who offers compassionate guidance through life transitions and tender moments of loss

• Maureen Hart Norris, behavioral and spiritual coach with two decades of experience including service in a major healthcare organization

• Jihane Labib, executive and team coach who helps leaders move from uncertainty to confident impact

• Angela Pizzitola Schwarzbach, wellbeing coach and Pilates instructor who supports women through the complex transitions of midlife

• Gene Eberts, transformational life coach with a doctorate in health psychology who has spent a lifetime teaching the mind body connection

• Michael Confort, founder and motivational coach who integrates fitness, nutrition, and mental clarity to help people navigate career and life transitions

• Kate Lunsford, holistic healer and coach who blends energy work and intuitive guidance to restore balance and peace

• Nikita Lavallie, life and psychedelic coach with clinical psychology training and a focus on trauma informed change

• Jennifer Lloyd, licensed clinical mental health counselor and life coach who creates safe spaces for growth

You can explore full profiles and book sessions through the BYOU platform. The right match matters. When you find someone who fits your style, everything becomes easier.

BYOU Friend in Detail

What makes the space safe and kind

Safety and kindness are foundations, not features. Here is how BYOU Friend protects the community

• Vetted volunteers. Every Friend completes screening and training in listening skills and safety basics

• Clear boundaries. Friends are not clinicians and do not give medical advice. When a situation needs professional care, they help you connect with an expert or a helpline

• Respect for privacy. You choose what to share. The app protects your data with strong privacy practices

• Report and review. You can flag concerns. We review every report and keep standards high

• Culture of care. BYOU celebrates empathy, nuance, and growth. We do not tolerate harassment, shaming, or harmful behavior

  
  

Parents and guardians often ask how BYOU Friend supports teens. We encourage healthy family involvement while honoring the autonomy of young people. We share safety resources and respect local laws. Our goal is always the same. Help a young person feel safe, heard, and connected to appropriate care.

Schools and youth organizations can also partner with BYOU and the BYOU Impact Foundation to launch BYOU Clubs. These student led groups promote peer support, mental health literacy, and simple routines that build resilience. A club can change a campus.

Practical Ways to Build Your Own Support Circle

Whether you are fifteen or fifty, it helps to have a go to plan for tough days. Consider this simple menu you can copy and customize

When I feel anxious or overwhelmed

• Text a BYOU Friend and name what I am feeling in a few words

• Take five steady breaths while counting to four on the inhale and six on the exhale

• Drink a full glass of water and step outside for fresh air

• Choose one small task I can complete in ten minutes

• If feelings stay intense, book a short session with a BYOU coach or therapist

When I feel stuck or low

• Write a list of three things I did well in the last week even if they are small

• Move my body. A short walk, a gentle stretch, ten squats, or a dance to one song

• Reduce scrolling for one evening and choose a calming routine

• Talk to someone I trust about one decision I am facing

• Donate or request a BYOU credit if money is the barrier

When I want to support a friend

• Ask how are you really and then listen

• Reflect back what I hear without fixing it

• Offer to sit together on a call or in person

• Share crisis numbers when needed and stay with them as they reach out

• Suggest BYOU Friend for peer support or help them book a professional session

These are small actions. Small actions create momentum. Momentum builds confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BYOU Friend a replacement for therapy?

No. BYOU Friend offers companionship and listening. It is not therapy. When you want clinical support, the BYOU app makes it easy to book a licensed therapist or a qualified coach.

Who can use BYOU Friend?

Teens and young adults can request a BYOU Friend. The broader BYOU community is open to adults as well, and many services are designed for every stage of life.

How does BYOU protect safety?

We vet volunteers, set clear boundaries, monitor reports, and provide resources. In emergencies always contact local services. BYOU is supportive but not a crisis line.

What are BYOU Credits and how do I get them?

Credits are the simple way to pay for sessions. One credit equals thirty dollars. You can purchase credits, receive them through your company, or request donated credits when cost is a barrier.

Can I donate credits?

Yes. Donated credits are directed to people who need help now. You can give one credit or many. Each one becomes a real conversation that can change the direction of a day.

Where is BYOU available?

BYOU operates across the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, with growing reach in other regions. Many services are online so you can connect from anywhere. Onsite options exist in select cities.

How do companies use BYOU?

Organizations purchase credits for employees to book coaching, therapy, and holistic services. This improves resilience, reduces burnout, and builds a culture where people feel supported.

How do I become a BYOU Friend?

Apply on the BYOU website. We will share details about expectations, training, and next steps. If you care deeply and listen well, the community needs you.

Featured Visionaries and Guides in the BYOU Community

The BYOU Visionaries newsletter celebrates creatives, founders, leaders, dreamers, and everyday doers who lead with heart. Here are a few featured guides you can connect with through BYOU

• Jennifer Lloyd, licensed clinical mental health counselor and life coach who helps high performers, students, and LGBTQ plus clients grow with purpose and emotional strength

• Nikita Lavallie, life and psychedelic coach with a masters in clinical psychology and training in trauma recovery who supports lasting change in mood, habits, and relationships

• Kate Lunsford, holistic healer and coach who blends energy healing and intuitive guidance to help you release blocks and restore harmony

• Michael Confort, founder of a wellness company and motivational coach who supports career clarity and personal resilience through a whole person approach

• Jim Merritt, performance and growth expert with decades of experience as a counselor and coach who helps people integrate emotional intelligence with real world performance

• Desi Dimitrova, total wellbeing coach and mentor who tailors natural tools for deep personal transformation

• Stacy Braiuca, transformative coach and consultant who helps ambitious leaders wrangle inner chaos so they can act with connection and authenticity

• Christoffel Sneijders, executive coach and therapist with a science based method who helps leaders break through emotional barriers

• Elizabeth Huang, life and grief coach and death doula who offers steady companionship through change and loss

• Maureen Hart Norris, behavioral and spiritual coach who guides clients back to peace and purpose

• Jihane Labib, executive and team coach with a calm strategic presence who helps leaders move forward with clarity

• Rima Itani, life and leadership coach who helps clients reconnect with values and build momentum through alignment

• Angela Pizzitola Schwarzbach, wellbeing coach and Pilates instructor who walks with women through midlife transitions

• Gene Eberts, transformational life coach with decades of health psychology expertise who teaches a simple formula for change

• Monet Viens, holistic life and career coach who guides clients from overwhelm to lasting alignment

These professionals cover a wide spectrum so you can find exactly what you need. From emotional healing to leadership growth, from grief to purpose, from stress relief to performance coaching. Your story and your goals set the direction.

A Simple Way to Begin Today

You do not need a perfect plan to start caring for yourself. Begin here

1. Download the BYOU app

2. Tap Help Request if you want a confidential first step

3. Request a BYOU Friend if you want someone your own age to talk to

4. Browse experts and use a credit to book a session that matches your need

5. If money is the barrier, request a donated credit through the app

6. If generosity is your superpower, donate a credit and change a day for someone

If you are part of a school, a university, a community group, or a company, reach out to BYOU about partnerships. We can help you launch BYOU Clubs and bring credits to the people you serve. We can also help your organization support employees with flexible wellbeing options that actually get used.

The Bigger Why

At BYOU we believe there is nothing more powerful than being fully and unapologetically you. The world needs what you carry. Sometimes that power is hidden under fatigue, worry, or the harsh voice that says you are not enough. BYOU exists to quiet that voice and strengthen the one that says you are worthy of care and capable of change.

You do not have to walk alone. You were never meant to.

Final Invitation

Talk. Share. Gift credits. Show up for each other. Small acts save lives and grow futures.

Download the BYOU app and discover how you can make a difference today. If you want to be the person who listens when it counts, apply to become a BYOU Friend. If you are ready for guidance, book time with one of the experts you have met in this article. If you want to help someone else stand up again, donate a credit.

For personal advice talk to a BYOU professional through the BYOU app available in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.