How to Support Family and Friends with Depression

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As someone who has struggled with depression in the past, I know how tough it can be for the people around you. It can be hard to know how to support family and friends dealing with mental illness – and you may find it difficult to look after yourself while caring for them.

Mental health is a sensitive subject, so you might be wondering exactly how to support your loved one. Let’s take a look…

How to support family and friends with depression

Looking after someone with depression can be hard – but there are a few ways to make sure you and your loved one are getting the help you need during this difficult time.

I’ve put together 5 top tips to support family and friends with depression.

1. Start a conversation

If you’re worried about someone close to you, try starting a conversation with them about how they’re feeling. Although some people may not want to discuss their mental health, by staying open you can show that you’re a trusted person to turn to when they need it.

By starting a conversation, you can also understand exactly what you can do to support your family and friends in the coming months. Everyone needs different things when fighting the war against depression, so make sure to speak to your loved one before deciding what support they need.

Stay in touch and reach out to see how they’re doing on a regular basis.

2. Stick to your normal routine

Just because someone’s dealing with depression, it doesn’t mean that’s their whole life. When I struggled with my mental health, I needed time with my friends and family to keep me strong. I also needed fun hobbies like knitting to help me cope with my depression.

Whether you’re supporting your Mum, your boyfriend or your best friend, sticking to your normal routine can help to keep your family grounded. Yes, you may be helping them deal with depression – but that doesn’t mean their mental health needs to be the subject of every conversation between the two of you.

You may also feel a need to do everything for your loved one, particularly if they’re struggling with household tasks. Although it’s good to help out, giving your family some space to complete basic tasks for themselves is a great way to maintain a normal routine.

3. Learn about mental health

If you want to support your family and friends, it’s important to understand everything you can about depression. Learn how to best support someone with depression – and read personal stories about mental health online to understand what it really means to experience mental illness.

You should learn how to support your loved one without criticising or judging them. Understand that it’s not their fault – and remember that what works for you might not work for them. Above all, don’t tell them to “cheer up”. Depression is a more complicated issue than just being unhappy.

4. Encourage your loved one to seek help

You shouldn’t be the only person supporting your family member. Help your loved one create a strong, healthy support system. This might include mental health professionals, other family members, trusted friends, teachers or colleagues.

In particular, it can help to motivate your loved one to reach out to a therapist, as a professional can offer support and coping mechanisms in a safe space. Therapy can come in lots of different forms, from speaking to someone via Zoom to engaging in group therapy.

Encourage your friends and family to seek the help they need – but don’t force them if they’re not ready.

5. Look after yourself

You can’t effectively support your loved one if you’re not looking after yourself. There are lots of ways to prioritise your own well-being while caring for a family member or friend with depression. You could:

• Speak to someone you trust
• Invest in self-care
• Practice healthy habits for your physical and mental well-being
• Spend time by yourself to recharge

By looking after yourself, you can give your friends and family the support they need without compromising your own mental health. It’s all about finding a balance that works for you and your loved one.

Do you have any tips to support someone with depression? Tell me in the comments!

Take care everyone x