During this difficult time, we may find ourselves spending A LOT of time with people we live with and not enough time with people we do not. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a spike in anxiety and depression. You may be living with someone with depression or you know someone who might be struggling with depression somewhere else in the world. In times like these, we should all help support one another so this post is here to give you some ideas about what to do to support someone you think might be suffering from depression.
- Depression is an illness: There is no way to “get over” depression and you can’t just “snap out of it”. Depression is often a chronic, lifelong illness that effects millions. While we can’t force someone to get help, we can provide support by:
- Checking in regularly: send a text, a funny email, or picture; call, FaceTime, or Zoom them.
- Invite them to talk if they ever need it.
- Emphasize that you are there for them if they need anything.
- Just listen: Silence is golden, and this is essential when someone is confiding in you about their feelings and difficulties. Not all problems are fixable, and you don’t have to fix them! Just respecting and acknowledging that their experiences are real to them is enough.
- Be supportive of healthy habits: Some healthy habits include exercise, healthy eating, healthy sleeping, and socializing. Give encouragement and offer to join them in their activities. Make sure you are doing these for yourself too!
- Encourage them to seek help: There are several mental health practices that are doing telephone or video sessions. Seeking help can be a source of stigma for many so the fact that you are offering your encouragement could help them along!
- Connect them with social support: Do you know someone who is also going through the same thing that they might be able to connect with? Perhaps there is a chat room or an organization that offers support.
- Take
mentions of suicide seriously:
Thoughts about suicide is a common symptom of depression. If you feel that
someone is in immediate danger call 911, take them to the ER, or encourage them
to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
(1-888-628-9454 for Spanish speakers) where support is free, confidential, and available
24/7. They also help support people who have loved ones who are depressed or
suicidal, don’t forget to make sure you are supported as well! View their
website at:
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
- Make time for self-care: When times get hard, self-care is often the first thing to go. Take a break, eat your favorite food, watch your favorite show, get good sleep, take a shower, take time to relax, you deserve it. Encourage your loved one to do that same! Take a look at our “Free Things to Do” or our “Food and Recipes” page for some extra inspiration!
- It is not your responsibility to cure your loved one: It would be nice if we could wave a magic wand and make their problems go away but that is not possible. Remember that it is not fair to yourself to take responsibility for someone’s depression or recovery!
Taken from Therapistsaid.com, printable PDF located at: https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/supporting-someone-with-depression.pdf