How to Support Someone with Depression

This short blog shares details on how to support someone with depression. You may be a concerned friend, family member, partner, or colleague. It’s clear that someone you care about has been struggling lately. Whether they directly tell you or not, it shows that something is going on for them. They may be less motivated, appear numb, and be isolating themselves more.

 

An important thing to note about depression is that it’s not often obvious that someone is struggling. People can tend to put on a mask to hide their true emotional state. This may be due to wanting to appear strong, and not let anyone know that they’re in need of support. They may feel shameful, that they’re ungrateful for their life, or struggle with vulnerability.

 

Depression shows up in many different symptoms. This includes hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness, irritability, self-isolation, and more. They may experience suicidal ideation, and engage in self-harm or substance use as a means to cope. You may notice that they’re more withdrawn or uninterested in common interests or activities.

 

Supporting someone with depression helps provide them with hope that they’re not alone. They may feel like a burden, or that they’re being dramatic, in reaching out for help. It’s important to remain non-judgmental, empathetic, and compassionate to their experiences. You can help make a huge difference in their lives.

 

Therapy in Simi Valley, CA pairs you with a therapist experienced in treating depression. Make sure to read our blog on 4 Signs to Start Therapy for Depression.

 

How to Support Someone with Depression: Actively listen to their experience

It can be hard to communicate experiences around depression. There are times where we don’t feel weighed down by it, and can come out of our shell more. Depressive episodes can come on randomly, leaving someone feeling a quick shift in their mental state. It can be difficult to communicate why someone feels this way, what thoughts they’re experiencing, and more. 

 

Showing that you’re trying to understand what someone is going through is crucial. Although you may not ever fully understand, it helps to give them a space to feel heard. Just providing opportunities for them to express themselves can relieve the pressure they feel from depression. 

 

Some ideas for how to actively listen to their experience include: 

 

• Allowing them to talk about themselves without interrupting with stories of your own.

 

• Maintaining eye contact and focusing on what they are saying. 

 

• Acknowledging what they’re saying through nodding and repeating back what you’re hearing.

 

• Remembering the things they’ve shared with you.

 

You may feel nervous offering space, mainly due to not knowing what to say. How do you talk to someone with depression to provide support? What can you say in response to what they share?

 

• That sounds very heavy to deal with.

 

• I can only imagine how distressing that is to experience.

 

• I’m really glad you’re sharing this with me. You don’t have to sit with this alone. 

 

• I’m always here for you and want to support you.

 

• What can I do to help? Is there anything you need from me?

 

Individuals struggling with depression are highly encouraged to seek professional help. As a bystander, there is only so much that you should take on to provide support. A healthy and safe approach is to be a part of their larger support system, rather than the main support. A therapist near Thousand Oaks, CA will help effectively treat their depression. Make sure to read our blog on 3 Symptoms of Depression.

 

How to Support Someone with Depression: Offer to help with tasks & activities

Getting through daily tasks can be difficult when with depression. This could look like maintaining clean spaces, taking the trash out, or washing the dishes. For personal hygiene, showers or brushing their teeth can feel like a draining task. When people are struggling with depression, grief, or trauma, commonly thought bare necessities may not be top priority.

 

Therefore, what can you do? You can offer to come over and help tidy up a bit. Maybe you want to help them complete a load of laundry, or take care of some dishes. You reassure them that you’re not judging them or their space – but they deserve to live in a healthy one. Every now and then, check in with them to see what you two can tackle together.

 

Maybe you want to encourage them to move their body around and get some fresh air. You may suggest going for a brief walk together. It could be that they have a favorite sweet treat, such as ice cream. You can go pick out your flavors together, and sit at a park together for a bit to enjoy it. 

 

Just offering the space of, “Hey, I care about you a lot, and am here with you,” helps. When you provide the reassurance that they’re not alone, they may feel more comfortable asking for help in the future. Off the bat, your loved one may decline any help, but continue to check in and ask.

 

In-person therapy in Simi Valley, CA provides you with a safe and comfortable space away from home. Make sure to read our blog on What is Grief Counseling?

 

How to Support Someone with Depression: Encourage them to connect with professional support

While you want to support someone with depression, you also cannot do it alone. Having a strong support system of friends and family goes a long way. However, it’s crucial to treat depression with a mental health professional. This is for safety reasons, and ensuring they are getting the help they need.

 

The therapist will work with them and provide undivided attention to understanding their depression. There may be deep rooted shame, guilt, or regret that they face everyday. Maybe childhood trauma or relationship trauma has contributed greatly to their depression. Whatever the case, they are trained in talking about, assessing, and treating it.

 

Sometimes, therapists may also recommend medication for depression. It’s important to note that medication alone will not magically make depressive symptoms disappear. It takes some conscious efforts to engage in coping, and developing self-awareness around symptoms. The therapist will have great focus on what is, and what is not, working for them. 

 

Along with this, the therapist will also be able to track symptom history, progress towards goals, and anything in the middle. Providing space and showing that you care for your loved one is essential. However, when it comes to treating depression, that should be left for a professional.

 

Looking to start therapy for depression near Simi Valley, CA? Our licensed therapists are experienced and passionate about working with teens and adults struggling with depression. 

 

In-person therapy in Simi Valley is ideal for those seeking a separate, safe space from their home. Check out our blog on Online Therapy or In Office Therapy to understand what format is best for you. Another great blog to read is ours on if you need Therapy or Medication to address your issues.

 

By seeking out support, you can begin your journey to feeling relief. You don’t have to go through finding the right level of support alone, either. By clicking here, you’ll read our blog on Information About Simi Valley Therapists.

 

Consider calling our therapy group at (805) 774-1506 for a free consultation on how you or a loved one can get started today!

Seek out a validating, safe environment with us today. We will help you get to where you want to be. Our therapists provide trauma therapy, teen therapy, individual adult therapy, LGBTQIA+ therapy, anxiety therapy, depression therapy, family therapy, and more in-office in Simi Valley, CA.