How To Be There For A Friend Feeling Depressed
I’m sorry to hear that your friend is feeling depressed. It’s important to offer your support and be there for them during this difficult time.
Here are some suggestions on how you can help:
- Listen non-judgmentally: Let your friend know that you’re there to listen to them without judgment. Allow them to express their feelings and thoughts openly and honestly. Avoid offering advice right away, unless they specifically ask for it.
- Validate their emotions: Acknowledge their feelings and let them know that it’s okay to feel the way they do. Avoid dismissing or trivializing their emotions, as this can make them feel worse.
- Encourage professional help: Suggest that your friend consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor. Offer to help them find resources or accompany them to appointments if they’re comfortable with it. Professional guidance can provide valuable support and techniques for managing depression.
- Be patient and understanding: Depression can be a long-term condition, and recovery takes time. It’s important to be patient with your friend and understand that they may have good and bad days. Let them know that you’re there for them consistently, even if they don’t always feel like talking.
- Offer practical assistance: Depression can make even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming. Offer to help with practical matters such as cooking a meal together, running errands, or assisting with household chores. Small gestures of support can make a significant difference.
- Encourage self-care: Help your friend focus on self-care activities that they enjoy and that promote well-being. This can include exercise, hobbies, spending time in nature, or engaging in relaxation techniques. Encourage them to take care of their physical health by eating well, getting enough sleep, and avoiding excessive alcohol or drug use.
- Stay connected: Reach out to your friend regularly, even if it’s just a simple check-in message or phone call. Loneliness and isolation can exacerbate depression, so maintaining a connection with them can make a positive impact. Plan activities together, such as going for a walk or watching a movie, if they feel up to it.
- Educate yourself: Take the time to learn more about depression and mental health. Understanding the condition and its effects can help you provide better support to your friend. Familiarize yourself with available resources and support networks in your area.
Remember:
While you can offer support, it’s important to encourage your friend to seek professional help if their depression persists or worsens.
Additional Resources:
https://stlmentalhealth.com/summer-depression-what-you-need-to-know-coping-strategies/
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
https://www.intrepidmentalhealth.com/blog/10-ways-you-can-help-a-friend-with-depression
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-help-a-depressed-friend
https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/ways-to-support-a-depressed-friend/
https://www.psycom.net/depression/how-to-help-a-friend-with-depression
About Us:
https://stlmentalhealth.com is a St. Louis mental health therapy practice in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The practice has a team of mental health therapists who provide therapy and counseling services to kids, teens, adults, couples, and families. Pearlman & Associates specializes in stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, and other mental health related issues and concerns. The practice can be reached by phone at: 314-942-1147, by email at: bryan@stlmentalhealth.com or on the web at: https://stlmentalhealth.com/contact-us/. The office is located at: 655 Craig Road, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63141.
