DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend who is extremely bipolar. He admits he has some mental issues and says he is on medication, but I think he needs more. He’ll have wild mood swings, and I honestly cannot keep up.

I know I have to be supportive of my friend when he’s having a panic attack, but I’m not licensed, and I don’t know how to help. I am not a medical professional, and I do not know anyone else with the same problems. I seem to have become his go-to friend whenever he is having a crisis. His girlfriend broke up with him, and I have become his impromptu counselor. I don’t want to distance myself because of my fear that he’ll do something drastic, but I really cannot be around anxious, panicking energy all the time. What should I do? – Not a Therapist, Baltimore

DEAR NOT A THERAPIST: The kindest thing you can do is draw the line. Tell your friend that you are incapable of supporting him through his emotional episodes. Ask him if you can help him make an appointment to see his doctor. If he refuses to get medical help, you should tell him you have to back away from him for now. Distancing yourself, as other loved ones have done, may help him to go to the professional who really can help him.

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DEAR HARRIETTE: This weekend, my family is having a reunion. I’m excited to see my extended family and all my cousins. However, I agreed to go before I found out some very important information. My brother is also attending this reunion.

Six years ago, my brother didn’t respect my relationship at the time and refused to walk me down the aisle. Our dad had passed away two years prior to my wedding, so I was devastated at his rejection. Even though the guy and I didn’t work out in the end, I feel as though my brother still could’ve supported me. It’s been years since I’ve seen him, and I’m not sure if I really want to. I already promised my mom I would be there. Plus, I know how much it would mean to her to have both of her kids present. I’m still upset and hurt by his actions.

I want to go to the reunion, but I don’t want to partake in any drama. How do I get to at least a cordial place with my brother? Do I still attend the reunion? If I do, should I just avoid him? – Reuniting Doesn’t Feel So Good, New Mexico

DEAR REUNITING DOESN’T FEEL SO GOOD: The best thing you can do in this situation is to offer forgiveness. Start with forgiving yourself for being so judgmental of your brother. Perhaps he took the stand he did because he felt the man you were marrying was bad for you. Maybe he could have let you know differently, but his heart may have been in the right place – looking out for you. Forgive him for not supporting you in the way you felt you needed. Forgive each other for being distant for so long. With a heart of forgiveness, you can go to the family reunion feeling love and gratitude to be able to see your whole family, including your brother. Just give him a hug and sincerely choose to have a great time.

— Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.