Moderated by
D'Anna Davis, LCSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
The journey to where we are today included many ups, downs, twists and turns. Healing from the events of life is crucial in achieving mental health and happiness.
Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
June 1st, 2016 12:49pm
Just be there for them, there isn't a specific thing that can always help, but making sure they know that you're there for them is always important
You have to show them that you support them and that you are there for them. The best thing to say is that you are here to support and listen to them.
Anonymous
June 3rd, 2016 4:17am
I'm here, you aren't alone and you're loved. You can tell me anything what's bugging you. I won't tell anyone.
Hey friend don't feel down life is full of fun adventures :) just remember to stay strong and be all you can be
Aww that must be hard being depressed its not goodaybe you could talkk to your dr and get professional help
Hug them. Tell them that you are here for them and are ready to listen to their words. They will truly appreciate that.
Most of the time it isn't what you say, but it is just being there to listen and support! Let the person know you are there for them and will continue to be until they no longer need you!
Anonymous
June 16th, 2016 12:02am
Above all, tell them that you love them. Tell them that you will be there for them no matter what AND MEAN IT. Gently urge them to seek professional help and to take care of themselves. You probably know them well enough to know how to get them to do well by themselves.
Anonymous
June 16th, 2016 2:39am
Offer them your support. Guide them to seek professional help and online resources such as 7 Cups of Tea or other help lines. Tell them they are not alone in their struggles and there is help out there.
Let them know you are there for them, if you have gone through depression let them know you understand what they are going through, if you don't understand or haven't gone through it, just let them know you want to understand. Talk to them, try your very best to be understanding, know they will have ups and downs and sometimes deep dark holes they go down and they may need you to guide them through it and back into the light
Cheer that person up. Life's about hits and misses. Talk to him/her and share the dilemmas he/she is facing. This way you are relieving the person off the burden on his/her head. Contact a therapist, if things worsen.
As a person with depression, the thing that someone wants to hear most is that their sadness is valid. Your sadness is valid, it is not in your head. It does not define you, you are so much more and you have already made it this far. You will accomplish great things. You are important, cherished, loved, and you are more than depression.
I've always found that you don't have to say anything specific. Just be there for them and be honest with and about them.
Offer support to someone who is depressed and make sure they understand that there is help out there and trained professionals that can help them. Refer them if you find necessary.
Anonymous
June 23rd, 2016 5:05am
I don't really think that there is certain words that you can say to someone to make them feel better about that, but just be there for them, let them know that you care, and maybe that will help them.
Offer them all of you: your time, your energy, your presence. Just being there means everything, if you might not know what to say at first.
Active listening is a simple technique to help others. Try and understand things from their perspective. Don't prod them, but encourage them to talk. Ask open-ended questions. Try not to tell them they're wrong. Nobody likes to hear they're wrong, unless they are actively soliciting feedback. Being supportive is the key. You probably cannot fix their woes, but you can be a safe and supportive voice in the choir of influences we all face each day!
Anonymous
January 30th, 2017 4:19am
Sometimes its not what you say to this person but how you treat them or be with them. Someone who is depressed may hear a lot of advice but sometimes its how you open your ears to be their listener. They are already bombarded with people speaking but sometimes they just want to talk their problems out.
Anonymous
August 18th, 2017 5:20pm
There isn't one magical thing that you can say to help someone going through depression. The best you can do is just be there for them - comfort them, let them know you are there to talk, and always encourage them to open up. Try to be as inclusive and caring as you can, and over time, things might get better for them, because they have someone like you there to help them.
Anonymous
August 22nd, 2017 3:21am
If you know someone's who's depressed that first thing you need to tell them is that you're there for them. And that you'll support them through this. Even if they try pushing you away, you stay there and be there rock. But depression can really knock you about, but it helps to help them stay grounded.
Remind them that you are there. encourage them but don't push. but honestly I think it depends on the person.
Make sure to remember, life is an upwards spiral. Sometimes you may enter a rough patch, but overall you're always climbing to become a better person.
Anonymous
February 3rd, 2018 8:00pm
Try to be there for them and never say things like 'everything will be fine ' or 'snap out of it, will you' because depression is not something which we can snap out of easily.
Try to talk them about happiness and the things they cherished the most. About good times. Ask them about their favourite songs, and tell them feel free to sing it. Try to motivate them and sot out their problems, by giving own experiences.
Don't ever tell them "Aww its ok" or "you matter" because they'll think you're lying (Personal experience!). Act like they're not depressed, but be a little nicer to them. You could say stuff like "lets get pizza!" or "wanna watch a movie together?"
Depression is a tough illness to go through not only for the person, but for their friends/family as well. In my experience being there to listen to the person generally helps. This allows the person to know that you are there to support them as well as try and help them through what they are going through. It is important to not give the person(s) advice because this could in turn be harmful to them if they do not get the results you provided. Listening and being able to effectively communicate with the person with help in the long run. If you have any other questions feel free to contact me, or any other of the listeners here! We are trained and eager to help out!
Anonymous
December 15th, 2020 6:43pm
You shouldn't say that you're sorry, because that means you pity them. The last thing a person that's actually depressed wants from others is pity. What you'll want to do is tell them whether or not you understand what they're going through. If you don't, ask them to explain it so you can be there for them. If you do, you're already one step closer to helping. Let them talk, never interrupt even if they say something that worries you. If they talk in a suicidal way, let them finish speaking before you respond. This will let them know that you're listening, and they won't feel talked over. This helps someone in pain or distress know that someone is there to listen and understand, rather than give advice.
Its okay to feel like this, it will not be forever. You are the most important person to you, and the expert of you. The way you are feeling is okay- it is completely normal to feel like this. But just remember it won't be forever, eventually you will be the person you dream of being. Help is out there, I know it is hard to find, but help is there you just need to look for it. Unfortunately, you can't get better unless you want to get better. Wanting to be happier and full of life is the only way to start the journey.
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