Depression can be a difficult and isolating experience for those who struggle with it, and it can also be challenging for their family and friends to know how to support them. Here are a few tips for supporting somebody who is going through depression.
Educate Yourself About Depression
Understanding what depression is and what it is not will help you better understand your partner’s experience and how to support them.
Depression is a complex and often misunderstood mental health condition that affects millions of people all over the World. It goes beyond simply feeling sad or low. It is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities that once brought someone happiness.
Depression can impact every aspect of a person’s life, from their relationships and work to their physical health. It’s important to recognise that depression is not a sign of weakness. It is a legitimate medical condition that requires understanding, support, and sometimes professional treatment.
You can find more information here. This link is to a UK mental health charity and it has some great explanations and videos.
Be a Good Listener
Someone with depression may not always feel like talking, but when they do, it’s important to listen to them without judgement. Let them know that you are there for them and that you care. Showing them this compassion shows them that you are a safe person to keep talking to. Talking through their feelings may really help them.
Encourage Them to Seek Professional Help
Depression is a medical condition that can require treatment. There are all sorts of holistic treatments, as well as therapy and medication. Sometimes one treatment works, other times people may require a combination of different treatments.
Encourage them to seek help and offer to support them in finding the right help for them. Let them know that asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of.
I have several free resources that may help them here. However, although these resources can help, it’s important that additional help is sought if/when needed. I am a qualified Mindfulness Teacher, but I am not a qualified doctor so this shouldn’t be used or taken as medical advice. That said, these resources can help improve a persons mindset so it’s worth a look to see if they may help your loved one.
Help with Daily Tasks
Depression can make it difficult to complete even simple tasks, so offer to help with things like cooking, cleaning, or running errands. Try to praise them for the small victories. It can sometimes be tricky to do this without it sounding patronising so you will need to judge whether to do this depending on the person you are helping. However, subtle praise can often make them feel good about the progress they have made. They may not have noticed that progress themselves until you mention it.
Take Care of Yourself
Supporting someone with depression can be emotionally taxing, especially if it is someone you live with, so make sure to take care of yourself as well. This includes getting enough sleep, exercise, and social support. It can drag your own mood down being around somebody with depression, so having a break is really important to reset.
Be Patient
Recovery from depression can take time, so it’s important to be patient and understanding. Everyone’s experience with depression is different, so it’s important to communicate about what they need and how you can best support them. If you’re ever unsure about how to help, ask them, or contact a mental health charity for advice.
Disclaimer – As I mentioned earlier, I am not a qualified doctor. This blog post is guidance, and should not be taken as medical advice.