How can I support someone with depression?
Support them with getting help
You can’t force anyone to get help for depression if they don’t want it. But you can reassure them that it’s OK to ask for help, and that support is out there.
Helping them with practical things can also make a big difference. For example, looking into what services are available or taking them to appointments. See our pages on helping someone else to seek help for more information.
Be open about depression
Lots of people can find it hard to open up and speak about how they’re feeling. Try to be open about depression and difficult emotions.
This will help them know that it’s OK to talk about what they’re experiencing. Speaking honestly and with no judgement can let them know that you’re ready to listen.
Keep in touch
It might be hard for them to have the energy to keep up contact. So it can help if you make the effort to keep in touch.
It can even be just a text message or email to let them know that you’re thinking of them. This could make a big difference to how they feel.
Try not to put too much pressure on them to reply. The main thing is that they know you’re there for them.
Don’t be critical
You might find it hard to understand why someone can’t just ‘snap out’ of depression. This is especially if you haven’t experienced it yourself.
Try not to blame them or put too much pressure on them to get better straight away. They’re probably being very critical and harsh towards themselves already.
Keep doing things you’d usually do together
When someone you know is experiencing depression, it might feel like this becomes the focus of your relationship. But depression is only one aspect of a person’s life.
It can help to keep doing other things together. And talk about things that you usually would. For example, if you normally watch TV together, or share a hobby.
Take care of yourself
Looking after someone else can put a strain on your wellbeing. Remember that your mental health is important too. Try not to feel guilty about taking time to look after yourself.
This may feel difficult if you spend a lot of time around someone with depression. For example, if you care for them or you live together. You might feel like you need to be there for them all the time, and put their needs ahead of yours.
But it’s okay to set aside time for yourself. And you’ll probably feel more able to support someone if you take care of your own wellbeing.
If you’re caring for someone, our pages on coping as a carer have information that may help. Carers Trust also has a local service finder for carers’ services that you can search to find support in your area.
Information taken from mind.org.uk
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