How to Help Someone With Depression

Taking care of a loved one with depression can be overwhelming. There are many different steps you can take to provide support. Educating yourself about depression will help you understand how to best help your loved one.

The first thing you can do is to talk to your loved one about his or her depression. Make sure to listen without judgment. This can help the person feel like he or she is being heard. It also shows that you understand what they are going through. If you are worried about your loved one’s mental health, consider seeking treatment. If you are interested in learning more, you can also check out a local support group.

Another important step you can take to help your loved one with depression is to set some boundaries. You don’t want to pressure your loved one into attending social events or taking medications. You also don’t want to take on the role of therapist. Instead, try to provide support by being present and leading by example.

When a loved one begins to show signs of depression, you should call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK. This is a free service. You can also call your local Mental Health Service for specialist advice. You can also find out if your loved one has tried to commit suicide.

You may not be able to get your loved one to do things that are beneficial to their recovery. You might feel that offering advice to try specific remedies will help, but you should remember that each person is unique. There are many things you can do to help your loved one, but the best thing you can do is to be supportive and listen.

You can also encourage your loved one to seek treatment. You can offer to prepare a list of questions to ask at the consultation. You can also remind your loved one to take his or her medications. If your loved one changes their mind about seeking treatment, do not be discouraged.

In addition to offering advice and support, you can also encourage your loved one to make changes in his or her lifestyle. This will help alleviate some symptoms. You can also help your loved one by setting up routines for sleeping, eating, and physical activity. You can also invite your loved one to social events. This will help reassure your loved one that he or she will still be part of a social circle.

Regardless of how much you help, it is important to recognize that depression is not something you can fix. Unless you take action to treat it, it will continue to recur. If your loved one has tried suicide, call 911 and have someone there with him or her at all times.

You can also offer to keep appointments with a mental health professional. Make sure you get your loved one’s permission first. You can also contact the Depression Helpline at 800-273-TALK to learn more about depression.