7 Ways to Help Your Best Friend With Depression

Sometimes, it’s a phone call. Other times, you can just sense it. But, what do you do when your best friend is depressed? The fact that you’re searching for ways to help your best friend through depression is a step forward.

The first thing you must know is that depression is a mental illness. You may have the best intentions, but each person needs different things when they are fighting depression. It’s important to remind them that the way they are feeling can be treated.

And though your best friend is reaching out to you for help, it’s always recommended that they should speak to a professional. It’s not going to be an easy conversation. Direct them to a mental illness counselor or a free depression hotline. Free, national hotlines are available 24/7 for anyone who needs help managing their depression.

Depression causes those affected to act differently and affects their ability to function normally. Common feelings include increased irritability, sadness, emptiness, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Many feel that they will never be able to get better.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make their lives a little easier.

 

Show interest

If your best friend feels like talking, be genuinely interested in what they have to say. It can be about how they are feeling, or maybe stories about their day. Be attentive and ask questions to show that you care about them. Many times, those that are going through depression feel alone in their situation. Support them by making them feel valued.

 

Make them feel validated for their feelings

When going through depression, they may believe that no one understands their feelings. But, if they have the courage to tell you how they feel, reassure them that their feelings are valid. They are allowed to feel that way.

 

Model your own advice

Many people are quick to dish out advice when they hear a problem. We’re natural problem fixers. But in this case, the best thing you can do is to follow your own advice to show that you are working on your own wellness too. It’s not your job to fix them. You’ll send a stronger message by showing that advice is not just for them, but for everyone including yourself.

 

Listen

When having a conversation, there’s a tendency to immediately begin telling a story once the other person has told theirs. We don’t listen as often as we should. When having a conversation with someone who is depressed, practice active listening instead. Keep yourself from being distracted and give your friend your full attention.

 

Don’t Judge

You may not fully understand what your best friend is going through, but accept that they are going through it. Passing judgement may be one of the worst things you can do. It will push them further into their isolation and they will no longer feel safe with you.

 

Get them out of their routine

If your best friend is up to it, get them out of the house. Encourage them to do something different rather than their normal routine. If they’re used to waking up, going to school, and going straight home, take them out for a walk after school. It doesn’t have to always be something extremely out of the ordinary. It can be as simple as taking them outside for a little bit.

 

Don’t smother them

As you’re helping them, there will come a time where they want to be left alone and not talk for a little while. When that happens, give them space. Don’t smother them by insisting that they talk to you and spend time with you. They need room to feel that they still have control of their lives, even if it’s some time away from you for a bit.

 

Free Mental Health Hotlines

At the end of the day, there’s only so much you can do. And you don’t want to mess with their progress, because you won’t always have the resources to help them. Encourage them to talk to a professional about their mental illness.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA) : 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)

National Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-448-4663

Teen & Youth Help Hotline: (800) TLC-TEEN (852-8336)