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If someone you know has depression, you may find it difficult to know how to support them. What you find simple may seem overwhelming to them. Below are some tips on how to support someone with depression.
How to recognise the signs of depression
If someone you know has depression, they may show some of the following signs:
- a depressed mood
- a loss of interest in activities they usually enjoy
- changes in appetite or weight
- sleeping too much or too little
- having negative thoughts, where everything seems overwhelming
Things you can do to help someone with depression
First of all, it’s important to understand they have an illness and can’t just ‘snap out of it’. If they haven’t already seen a doctor or other health professional about depression, encourage them to do so. It can help to have a diagnosis and to talk about treatment. You might need to help them make an appointment.
However, the person may not want to seek help. If so, it might help to explain why you are concerned and to offer them information, such as a book or fact sheets. If that doesn’t work, then wait and try again later.
People with mental illness may face stigma. Try to listen to them without judgement – they need your support more than your advice.
Talking to someone with depression
Here are some tips to help you when speaking to someone with a mental illness. If you’re unsure where to start, ruok.org.au provides some simple advice:
- Be ready – are you in a good headspace, and do you have the time?
- Be prepared – are you ready for a difficult conversation where you don’t have the answers?
- Pick your moment – have you chosen somewhere comfortable to talk, and an appropriate time?
You can find more helpful tips at ruok.org.au and beyondblue.
Seeking help together
Treatment can include medication and therapy, and a mental health care plan helps with the cost. Someone with depression often feels unmotivated; below are some ways you might support them:
- Offer to find a health professional and to go to the appointment with them, if you feel comfortable with this and they want you to.
- Encourage them to do regular exercise, eat healthy food and drink less alcohol, to help speed up their recovery. Do this with them, if you can.
- Support them in taking their medication. Many people will start to feel better in 2 to 4 weeks, but it can take 8 weeks for antidepressants to reach full effectiveness. Some people want to stop taking medication when they feel better, but they should talk to their doctor or nurse first.
Worried about suicide?
Take any talk about suicide seriously. Call triple zero (000) if someone is in immediate danger. A number of crisis support services and helplines can help.
Looking after yourself
The symptoms of depression also affect family and friends, so it’s important to look after yourself and to set boundaries around what you are willing to do.
