{"id":52,"date":"2014-08-27T17:30:18","date_gmt":"2014-08-27T17:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/depressionhelp\/?p=52"},"modified":"2016-04-28T19:34:35","modified_gmt":"2016-04-28T19:34:35","slug":"three-tips-for-helping-someone-depressed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/depressionhelp\/2014\/08\/three-tips-for-helping-someone-depressed.html","title":{"rendered":"Three Tips For Helping Someone Depressed"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

How you treat the depressed person can either help or hinder recovery. Here are three tips on how you can help someone who is depressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. TALK.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Talk is very important for anyone who is depressed. Talking helps the depressed person express emotions and ideas. It’s a lifeline to the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a need in the depressed person to talk about his\/her experience. That talk might not make sense to\u00a0 you or it may even alarm you. However, that’s how depression makes the person feel and view the world. Depression isolates and makes people vulnerable. By talking, a depressed person is able to connect with someone outside of the darkness and cling to hope.<\/p>\n

Talk can also help someone realize that he\/she\u00a0is depressed. Grief, for example, can lead a person into depression. By bringing up the subject of depression, you might help your friend realize that what he\/she is feeling is more than grief.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you want to talk? Do you feel like talking?\u201d are good ways to start a conversation. \u201cHow can I help you? I\u2019m here if you want to talk. I love you. Look forward, past your pain, and see it won\u2019t always be this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Teen_Depression_Treatment\"<\/a><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0LISTENING IN A NON JUDGMENTAL WAY.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Accept the person’s thoughts and feelings without judging the person. Those thoughts and feelings are influenced by depression. They do not define who your loved one is! What your loved one needs most now is Compassion and Understanding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Forget the drama! It’s easy to quickly get swept into arguments when you try to change the depressed person’s thinking. Depression is an illness, a darkness of anguish and despair tightening around the soul. Thoughts become erratic but it doesn’t mean the depressed person is stupid or doesn’t understand what’s going on. It\u2019s not about you so don\u2019t let your ego get in the way. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t say you know what the person is going through. It will only irritate your loved one because as we all know, depression is a uniquely personalized experience. Even if you have been or are depressed and feel empathy, openly acknowledge to your loved one that his\/her experience is different from your own.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 DON\u2019T PROMISE TO KEEP IT A SECRET.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Depression should never be kept secret. There are many reasons a depressed person will want you to promise to keep it a secret. For some it’s about societal or cultural shame. For others it\u2019s reactions at the workplace, club or organization. There’s shame by association which can cause families to withdraw needed support. Finally, there is the person considering suicide.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tell someone your concerns. Preferably you should tell a trained medical professional who can advise and assist in the matter. You can also contact the national mental health hotline or local mental health organizations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You aren’t betraying the person. You might feel guilty or\u00a0 loose the trust or friendship of the person, but you did the right thing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.\u00a0 (http:\/\/www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\"phonesuicideprevention\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  How you treat the depressed person can either help or hinder recovery. Here are three tips on how you can help someone who is depressed. 1. TALK. Talk is very important for anyone who is depressed. Talking helps the depressed person express emotions and ideas. 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