How can I support someone with depression and/or anxiety?

When someone you love is suffering from depression or anxiety, you might be one of the only people in their life who is keeping them from falling apart. The weight that you have to carry on your shoulders when trying to support them is a heavy one and a task that you should not have to carry out alone.

Don’t get offended if they don’t talk

Mental health is very personal. Many people living with depression or anxiety will find it difficult to talk to loved ones about how they’re feeling and may withdraw from such conversations.

It can be extremely frustrating when you want to help but your friend or family member won’t open up to you or is completely shutting you out. Try to be open about depression and discuss your own emotions to let them know that it’s okay to talk about what they’re experiencing.

Stay calm

One of the most important things you can do for someone with depression is to simply be there. Giving them a shoulder to cry on and your unconditional support can move mountains at a time when they feel lost and alone.

It can be frustrating to watch someone go through depression, especially if they aren’t listening or are refusing help. Try to set realistic expectations and encourage them to join you in uplifting activities such as going to the cinema, having dinner at a favourite restaurant or exercise.

Depression won’t disappear overnight, but getting through each day as best as possible goes a long way in showing them that life is worth living.

Don’t force them to get help

Whilst it’s important to encourage your loved one to get help, you can’t force them to. You may find that the person has talked about therapy or seeing a doctor but then changes their mind. Depression seeps the energy out of a person and so finding a counsellor or getting down to a GP surgery can feel like a huge task.

Ultimately, the person needs to get to a point where they want treatment. When the time comes when they ask for help, it can be a massive weight off everyone’s shoulders.

Don't tell them what to do!

The last thing someone suffering from depression or anxiety needs to hear is that they 'don't need' to undergo treatment! There has been a huge rise in the number of individuals seeking help for Mental Health Illnesses and that first step is the most important. So advising a loved one that 'medication won't help them', that 'it's all in their head' can be really damaging.

Medication may be offered alongside other support initiatives such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and can help the individual take control of the illness. Whatever your own opinions are of Depression/Anxiety, or medications that may be offered to help control it, it may be best to remind yourself that the individual needs your support and telling them what to do could have a really negative affect.

Take care of yourself

When you know that a loved one is unhappy with life, your natural instinct is to help fix their problem as quickly as possible and get them back to normal.

Unfortunately, depression doesn’t have a time limit and can go on for months or even years.

Supporting someone with depression takes time, energy and patience and is sure to take its toll on you as well, which is why it’s so important to look after your own health and happiness and make yourself your number one priority.