Helping friends isn't always a good thing. While it is an important part of being a good friend, sometimes it is best to leave certain situations alone. Maybe your friend is going through an emotional crisis. Maybe you youself aren't emotionally or mentally strong enough to handle soemthing like that. You could become toxic to your friend causing more situations. It could even cause you to become more sad because you are around a tough situation. Sometimes your friend may even be an independant person and doesn't want any help, so it is good to give the person the space they need and help if they want you too.
Usually what element helps you identify the theme of a story is what lesson the main character learns, or any important idea or refrain throughout the story.
