Best advice is to just think of the things that you hate doing and try to help them do it. So whether that's making dinner or maybe helping them to do their laundry, other things. Oftentimes people with depression have a hard time keeping up on those daily tasks and so if you're able to help with that, that can show your love and support a lot more than words.
I found a good way to support someone with depression is just, even if you don't help do anything for them, just listen to them. Just be a good listener, a good shoulder to cry on, give them a hug, tell them they're all right, tell them they're a good person, tell them you love them and just show them plenty of love and affection and be a good listener.
Something that I think you can do to help support somebody with depression is by reaching out often and making sure that they know that you're thinking about them, that you want to hang out with them or hop on the phone with them to talk about school or work or something and just making sure that you're there for them even when they're not going through something so that they can know that they matter to you and that you think that they're a great friend to them and so just making sure that you establish that relationship and often remind them how much they mean to you is a great way to support them.
For me, it just is nice to know that I have people that are there for me and people that are willing to listen if I need it or willing to let me cry or willing to get out and do something and just kind of let me know that they're there for me if needed because a lot of times for me when I was in the worst of my depression I just felt super alone and I felt even though I had all these people in my life that loved me it was hard to find those people to reach out to and so when I had people that were like that knew what I was going through and they're like how can I help you what can I do for you um yeah I would just say be there for them and find out what they need and what helps them because everyone's different so just find out what you can do to be there for your specific person that needs it.
How to support someone with depression is honestly so hard, especially if you don't have it, because if you don't understand it, it's easier if you do have it, but just the best way to support them is just to show them that they're not a burden. They're going to try and push you away, they're going to try and lock themselves in their room, not get any help, but be there for them, show them they're not a burden, and just always be there when they need it, like just even offering little text messages, little notes, just supporting them is really helpful.
Always encourage people by telling them they're doing well, they look good, you know, they're all right, you know, that God loves them. Just encourage people, give them positivity rather than negativity. Don't tell them, oh you can't do this, you can't do that. Tell them they can do it or give it a go or something like that and just be positive with them.
For those who might have a friend who is struggling with depression, obviously each person's circumstances are unique, but I think that what would have helped me is if my friends just had talked with me more, had been open. Not saying that they were bad, they were great, I loved them, they really meant a lot, but for what you can do for a friend, I recommend that you're definitely there for them. You let them know that they can tell you anything whenever they need to. Obviously your life's going to be busy, their life's going to be busy, but let them know that you're there for them and that you care about them. And if they are struggling, seek professional help as well, because you can't handle all of their problems.
I think the best way to help someone who's struggling with depression is to understand that you don't understand. Saying that you think you know what they're going through when you really don't is kind of hard for the person who is struggling because they feel like you don't really realize how bad it is for them. So just being there is probably the best way to help. That's what's helped me when I talk to other people about it. So yeah, that's my experience.
One thing that I think you can do for someone that you care about with depression is by not only saying like, hey, I'm here for you if you need anything, but offering to bring them something, to go watch a movie, like actually showing that you are wanting to do something. It's not just like a saying that you're telling them that you're there for them, but actually proving that you are.
Oftentimes when someone's depressed, or at least for me, I'll feel like I want to do something or like hang out with other people but I don't feel motivated enough to like contact anyone. So I'd say reaching out to someone who's depressed can be really helpful. Just like even checking in on them and being like texting them how are you doing or like how's your day been or something like that.
Good evening, it's Antibrome. I'm from South Africa in Pretoria. Supporting a person with a mental illness is such a hard thing. Just don't go hard on them. Be there for them. Ask them if they are okay. Just keep on checking on them. Give them the best support that you can and show them that you are loved and that you care about them. Don't go hard on them. Going hard on them might make it worse and don't tell them that they are only stressing themselves out but tell them that it's not their fault that they are feeling that way. Thank you.
If you see someone with depression, talk to them, ask them about their day, get their mind off of it. Crack a few jokes, show them something funny, anything. If you truly know them, show them something that they will find hilarious. So always find a distraction for them, whether it be you or something they would find hilarious. Take them to the movies, show them something hilarious.
Reach out to them, be there for them, let them talk to you, be there to listen, be there to help them with anything that they need, and just keep reaching out. If someone says that they're depressed and needs help, go over, go be with them, do something that they love, encourage them to get out, just check in, check in on them a lot.