How can I help a depressed friend?

One of the key parts of helping a depressed friend is to be sympathetic but not empathetic. Dr. Saltz says, “You want your friend to know that you understand that he feels bad without allowing the depression itself to pull you in.” When supporting a friend with depression, try not to take what they say or do personally.

Should you help someone who’s living with depression?

When you care about someone who’s living with depression, it’s tempting to drop everything to be by their side and support them. It’s not wrong to want to help a friend, but it’s also important to take care of your own needs. If you put all your energy into supporting your friend, you’ll have very little left for yourself.

What should I avoid when talking to a friend with depression?

Avoid assuming a good day means they’re “cured,” and try not to get frustrated if a string of bad days makes it seem like your friend will never improve. Depression doesn’t have a clear recovery timeline. Expecting your friend to return to their usual self after a few weeks in therapy won’t help either of you.

Can depression make you unwilling to be friends?

But this is usually a symptom of the depression itself. In his 2017 Ted Talk, comedian, and storyteller Bill Bernat spoke about his own clinical depression and said, “Depression doesn’t diminish a person’s desire to connect with other people, just their ability.” 1 A person who is depressed may feel unworthy of friendship.

How do you motivate someone with depression?

The best way to motivate someone with depression is again just to be there for them, especially during these situations. When they’re overwhelmed with their negative thoughts and anxiety, just be there to reassure them of their fears.

What happens when a friend with depression pulls away?

From there, the friend may think, “ If my support was helping, my friend wouldn’t still be depressed ” and this leads them to give up on the friendship completely. It may feel like the depressed friend is pulling away from the friendship. But this is usually a symptom of the depression itself.

How can parents help their children deal with bullying and depression?

However, parents can take action to help their children deal with bullying and depression. First, parents need to find out what is going on in their child’s life. Speak with your child’s teacher and school administrators and inform them of the issues your child is facing.

Can being bullied cause depressive symptoms?

Depression is a very layered, complex mental health disorder and there are multiple factors which can cause it0. And being repeatedly bullied or victimized by another person is definitely a major factor! When a person is battling depression, they are virtually guaranteed to exhibit certain symptoms.

How can I help my child who has been bullied at school?

A school counselor can help prevent future bullying and provide additional support for a child who is facing depression. The next member of a child’s support team is the behavioral health professional who manages the child’s mental health treatment program.