How to Help Someone with Depression
Depression is a deeply isolating experience, one that can leave those struggling feeling disconnected and misunderstood. It can be challenging as a friend, loved one or family member to know how to offer support and help in a way that truly helps. Uncertainty may creep in and might make you feel hopeless towards the situation. However, there are practical ways through which we can offer support and help them through this journey. We’ll be looking at different ways through which we can offer meaningful support, from understanding the signs of depression, and what we can do to create a safe and compassionate space for healing.
Watch out for Signs:
If someone you know seems more sad than usual, shows lesser interest towards things that they would normally take pleasure in, there is a significant weight loss or gain, they are sleeping too much or too less, they have feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt towards things and situations, which can be accompanied by fatigue or low energy, and the inability to concentrate, it could be a sign that they may be going through depression.
Encourage Professional Help:
Reaching out for help may feel daunting and difficult, but initiating a conversation about it could be an encouraging start to most who are going through depression. Helping them gather a list of potential psychologists or professionals they can reach out to, supporting them in scheduling their first appointment, and helping them follow through the sessions and encouraging them to stick to the sessions even when they don’t feel like it, is of a big help to make things a little easier for them. Encourage them to seek professional help if needed. There's no shame in seeking counseling, and God can work through both spiritual and professional support.
Encourage them to practice self care and healthy habits:
Exercise and physical activities can be highly effective, and can increase energy levels. Setting small goals, such as a 20 mins walk, or a 30 mins stretch, folding the blanket, and putting the dishes in the sink, could help achieve these goals. Self care activities such as journaling, writing, skin care, or even a movie night, will help. Eating healthy will help give the body the energy it needs to function.
Having a schedule which is flexible can bring back a certain amount of control to keep a steady pace, because depressive symptoms can disrupt the daily schedule. Nature can greatly influence a person’s mood. Spending a few mins in nature can help boost one’s mood which can affect the overall functioning of the individual. Having a good sleep schedule is essential. Depressive symptoms tend to affect the sleep cycle and an affected sleep cycle makes the symptoms worse. Therefore a healthy sleep routine is beneficial. Encourage the person to take care of their body, as it is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Rest is important, and Jesus Himself took time to rest and recharge (Mark 6:31).
Offer help in ways that you can :
Daily tasks and chores can feel overwhelming. Helping them with the little things like folding the laundry or doing the dishes, or even going grocery shopping together would help. Having some company while doing work can make the taks feel a little easier.
Be patient and non judgemental:
Getting through depression is a slow and time taking process, and usually doesn't have a specific timeline for recovery. We may get frustrated seeing that they may not be progressing as quickly as we hoped but being patient with them is the best thing to do. They will still have their bad days as well as their good days, so just journeying with them through it will be more than enough.
Promote Hope and Positivity:
Ultimately, while acknowledging the pain of depression, remind them that the Bible gives us ultimate hope through Jesus Christ. John 16:33 assures us, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Healing from depression can take time, and it’s important to be patient and continue to offer support, both emotionally and spiritually. Trust that God is at work, even when the progress isn’t immediately visible. Be a listening ear, offering empathy and understanding. Sometimes, simply being present is one of the best things you can do.
Offer Spiritual support:
Prayer is a powerful way to bring someone before God. You can pray for healing, strength, peace, and restoration. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul writes, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Ask them if they’d like you to pray with them or for them and let them know you care enough to lift them up in prayer. Jesus is empathetic and compassionate toward those who suffer. In Matthew 11:28–30, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This emphasizes that it's okay to feel weary and burdened, and God is there to provide comfort.
Take care of yourself and set proper boundaries:
As important as it is to take care of your loved one through this season, it is equally important to make sure you are taking care of yourself too. Taking care of someone with Depression can be draining, therefore setting clear boundaries is important. Take some time to do the things you’d normally do and things you like to do. Establish clear timings for your availability for when they can reach out to you. This will help balance out your other priorities as well.
What to avoid doing?
Trying to ‘fix’ them and get them out of depression is not a burden for you to carry. You can always support them and encourage them, but it is a serious mental health condition that requires professional care. Avoid comparing their experiences to others or to yourselves. Everyone goes through different experiences and there is a high possibility that their pain is valid to them. They may not also want your advice at that specific point of time, and they may just want you to be empathetic towards them.
Encourage them to do other positive and nice things that you know they’d like, like going for a walk, eating out at a cafe or just catching up with some hobbies. Saying statements like ‘I know this must be hard for you, is there anything i can do?’, ‘How are you coping through all this?’, or ‘ I don't know much about what you’re going through but I do know that I will try my best to be there for you’, will give them the sense of support and also imply that they can rely on you. Be careful not to minimize their feelings or offer quick solutions like "Just pray more" or "You should just trust God." While those things are important, it’s essential to validate their experience and walk alongside them with patience and care.
Supporting someone who is struggling with depression is not always easy, but it is one of the most meaningful ways we can show love and compassion. By offering a listening ear, pointing them to the truth of God’s Word, and walking alongside them in their journey, you can be a source of light in their darkest moments.
Remember, healing from depression is a process that takes time, and it’s okay to seek help from both spiritual and professional sources. Be patient, be present, and never underestimate the power of your prayers and support. Most importantly, let the person know they are not alone, and that God’s love and presence are constant, even in the most difficult of times. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for support. Together, with God's help and the strength of community, there is hope for healing and restoration.
Reference:
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed., Boston, Pearson, 18 May 2013.
- Balanzá-Martínez, V., & Cervera-Martínez, J. (2022). Lifestyle Prescription for Depression with a Focus on Nature Exposure and Screen Time: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), 5094.
- Belvederi Murri, M., Ekkekakis, P., Magagnoli, M., Zampogna, D., Cattedra, S., Capobianco, L., Serafini, G., Calcagno, P., Zanetidou, S., & Amore, M. (2019). Physical exercise in major depression: Reducing the mortality gap while improving clinical outcomes. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9(762).
- Raypole, C. (2024, January 12). Understanding how to help someone with depression. Healthline.com.
- Sohal, M., Singh, P., Singh Dhillon, B., & Singh Gill, H. (2022). Efficacy of journaling in the management of mental illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Family Medicine and Community Health, 10(1).
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