How To Help A Loved One Suffering From Depression: A Compassionate Guide
Not only does depression impact the person dealing with it; but it also affects family and friends who want to support them but often don't know how.
It can be both heartbreaking and perplexing to deal with someone you love who is depressed. When trying to support them and look after your own mental well-being, you could feel overwhelmed and unable to do so.
Even though I'm not a mental health expert, here are some top suggestions for supporting a loved one who is suffering from depression.
Remember with love, compassion, and faith in God, anybody can heal and you have the power to heal them.
Let's dive into top tips that you can follow to help support a loved one.
Tips you must follow to help your loved ones in their mental health journey
- Listen without judgment: Your loved one needs a secure environment to express their feelings. Listen without passing judgment. It may be beneficial to have someone listen.
- Don't force them: Recognize your boundaries and give them the space they require if they aren't ready to communicate. Tell them you're ready to talk whenever they're ready.
- Avoid offering advice: I understand you want to help them and you have good intentions but this can make your loved one feel burdened or misunderstood.
- Be patient: Recovery takes time. Your ongoing assistance is more beneficial than a one-time, comprehensive fix.
- Research together: Together, research the sometimes challenging process of hiring a therapist. Offering to assist them in their search for mental health providers might ease their workload.
- Support medication routines: If medication is recommended, encourage your loved one to follow their schedule without enforcing it.
- Nature walks: The combination of fresh air and the outdoors can be comforting. It can be refreshing to take a quick stroll in a local park.
- Mindfulness or meditation: Introduce them to mindfulness or meditation practices to help them focus their thoughts, even if only briefly.
- Set Limits: Be clear about what you can and cannot achieve. You are not a therapist; you are a friend or family member.
- Seek support: Lean on your network of friends and family for support, or think about speaking with a mental health professional yourself. Even caregivers require care.
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