How to help and support a depressed friend, partner, relative or workmate
 

More things that CAN WORK when someone is depressed

 

In my experience, these things are often helpful...

• Being treated as normal, rather than as someone who "has a problem"
• Spontaneous natural light humour (as opposed to contrived jokes)
• Sincere expressions of affection, love, caring (TLC - tender loving care)
• Loving touch, human warmth, massage
• Going for a walk, other gentle exercise, fresh air, contact with nature, gardens
• Gentle reminder to breathe fully, raise head, expand chest
• "Acting out", or creatively expressing (art, music, poetry, writing), one's depressed feelings and perceptions
• Beautiful art, dance, music, objects, singing, surroundings, people
• Spiritual connection and practises
• Doing things for others and receiving appreciation (reduces feeling of helplessness)
• Empathetic people who help a depressed person non-judgementally to explore and characterize their depressed reality
• Solid, non-judgemental companions, with whom it is safe to be just how you feel
• Moving meditation
• Cognitive Therapy
• Giving the person a self-help book on depression (help from others can lower self-esteem, helping oneself can raise it)

 

For other things can help: click here

Helping Someone who is Depressed: Index