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- Try to listen more than you talk and, rather than offering feedback, simply respond with support. Use non-verbal cues to show you're listening. Nod and make eye contact. Give verbal cues as well, by saying things like, "Yeah" and "Uh-huh." It can also help to reiterate the person's feelings to clarify you understood.
www.wikihow.com › Speak-Supportively-to-Someone-with-Depression
Sep 28, 2021 · If you know someone with depression, providing them encouragement, motivation, and support can go a long way to giving them hope and helping them get through difficult times.
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Apr 5, 2023 · If someone you know has depression, you may feel helpless and wonder what to do. Learn how to support and understand them and help them get the resources they need. The more you learn about depression, how it affects people and how it can be treated, the better you'll be able help someone else.
- Depression signs and symptoms vary from person to person. They can include: 1. Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness 2. Angry...
- Everyone experiences depression differently. Observe your loved one. Learn how depression affects your family member or friend — and learn what to...
- Learn and stay alert for common warning signs of suicide or suicidal thoughts: 1. Talking about suicide — for example, making statements such as "I...
- Do: Practice assertive communication. Rather than making depression taboo, talk openly with your friend about your concerns. Dr. Borland recommends cultivating the art of assertive communication: You take ownership of your feelings and concerns and communicate them without finger-pointing.
- Do: Show empathy. Put yourself in your friend’s shoes in a nonjudgmental way. Think about how you would feel if you were coping with symptoms of depression and how you would want friends to react.
- Do: Set boundaries. It’s OK to be specific about when you can — or can’t — be there for your friend. For example, let your friend know that it’s better for you to talk after your kids are in bed.
- Do: Be patient. There is no quick fix for depression. The recovery process takes time. You’re less likely to get frustrated with, or give up on, your friend if you’re hunkered down for the long haul.
- “I can’t imagine how you feel, but I’m here for you if you need me.” This is a helpful thing to say to someone who lost a loved one. This approach doesn’t assume that you know what they’re feeling.
- “I wish I had the right words to say, but just know that I care about you.” Here’s another one to say to someone who has just lost someone. This approach acknowledges that words alone cannot always do justice to the situation.
- “Can you help me understand how you’re feeling?” This helps someone know that you are actively trying to see them and hear them. This can help someone feel able to open up, and it comes off as an understanding way of being present with someone.
- Give a silent hug or embrace. Silence can be a powerful tool and something that acknowledges the weight of a situation without adding to it. Physical touch, a hug, or holding someone’s hand can be a comforting gesture if you have that type of relationship with that person.
Aug 19, 2024 · 12 things to say to someone who is depressed: 1. "I care about you, and you matter to me." People experiencing depression often experience a sense of hopelessness and pessimism that can lead them to lose sight of how much people care about them, Forti explains. A reminder that they matter to you may be helpful. 2.
Jun 28, 2024 · People with depression often do not want advice or even insight. Sometimes, they simply want emotional support. Try to listen more than you talk and, rather than offering feedback, simply respond with support.
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Jul 12, 2022 · Know the warning signs to help prevent suicide, and use these seven ways to help you start talking with someone with depression.
