How to Support a loved one when they are dealing with Depression

How to Support
a loved one
when they are
dealing with
Depression?

Presenter: Somiya Wake

If you have a friend or a loved one
who is diagnosed with depression.
You may be clueless as to how to
help them. The person may not
voice out as to what they need that
can help them deal better because
it is a part of depression. Your loved
one is dealing with too many
emotions and thoughts at a
moment and is overwhelmed to
deal with it.

Here is a list of Become informed
things that you
can do to help It is really important that you are aware of what your loved one is going
through. Hence it is recommended that you make yourself familiar with
them dealing what depression is.
with depression
in a better way. Listen

There will be times when your loved one is going through a difficult
depressive episode and would want to vent out their feelings.

Accept

Be prepared if you receive an unfavorable reaction from your friend.

Give them space

We all have that internal urge to help our loved ones, to make them feel
better. But it is not in our hand as to how others will feel.

Here is a list of Do not Judge
things that you
can do to help At times your friend might be in the continuous loop of self-
degradation, but you need to understand that it is depression which is
them dealing making them self-hate.
with depression
in a better way. Help them seek support

Considering how crippling depression can be, at times your friend may
be dealing with serious issues to which a mental health professional
can help better.

Be encouraging

Depression impacts the self-worth of a person, it makes them question
their own strengths.

Respect them

It is very gratifying when someone trusts you enough to let them peak
you in their intimate life. Your loved one has taken the risk and shared
their worst phase with you.

You can also read “Contagious Emotions:
Staying well when your loved one is
depressed”, by Ronald Podell, M.D in order to
help better.

300 million

People affected by depression

60 million

People affected by
bipolar affective disorder

Importance of
Mental Health

RELATION TO OVERALL HEALTH

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-
being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine
how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.
Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and
adolescence through adulthood.

Feeling Depressed vs.
Feeling Blue

YEAR-ON-YEAR DATA FROM THE U.S.

Depression Sadness

There are bouts of unhappiness which are permanent. There are bouts of unhappiness which are temporary.
There is no specific cause. There is a specific cause.
A normal routine is hampered. A normal routine is maintained.
There is a constant feeling of worthlessness. There is no permanent feeling of worthlessness.
Suicidal ideology is present. Suicidal ideology is absent.

Mental Health
Assessment Components

Physical Exam Laboratory Testing

Mental Evaluation Cognitive Evaluation

How to Get Help.

1. Talk to Depression 2. Reach out to other 3. Seek more mental
Therapist. people. health information.

Thanks For Reading!