When a loved one is depressed, family and friends are often left wondering how they can help. After interviewing people who have lived with ongoing depressions concerns, we have come up with a list of ways we can be helpful when others are in a depressed state:
Ask what they need and take action if they don’t know. It’s hard to know what you need when you feel stuck. Give options on what you could do to help.
Check to see if they are taking their medication; both for mental, and physical health. It's also not a bad idea to make sure they are taking the correct amount.
Ensure your person is hydrated and eating.
Make sure there are easy to eat things on hand.
Send over easy to eat groceries or drop off ready to eat meals.
Help complete everyday tasks that might be overwhelming, such as walking the dog, cleaning up the litter box, doing the dishes, or catching up on the laundry.
Offer to handle an errand, such as picking up medications, or a grocery run.
Check in both in person and digitally.
Stop in and see how they’re doing.
Send funny videos, or memes.
Schedule a phone call, or video chat.
Listen. Don’t give advice.
Validate their feelings. It’s okay to not feel okay. You’re not alone.
Get them out if they are willing.
Have them come to your house for a movie night.
Plan a day trip to a place that brings them joy or just gets them out in nature.
We hope this blog post will be a useful tool to reference,
Sophie Butcher MSW, LMSW
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