1. How to Help
Someone Who Is
Depressed

2. Any type of emotional or mental
illness is difficult to understand if it
doesn't affect you.

3. Not knowing how
to help someone
who is depressed
you might say,
"Just pull yourself
out of it."

4. When you are living with or have a
loved one suffering from
depression you probably feel
powerless, frustrated, angry, sad,
concerned and scared.

5. You probably feel all of
those at one time. The
question is,
"How can I help?"

6. 1. Care for
Yourself

7. Care for Yourself by educating
yourself.

8. Believe me, people don't
want to feel such despair
as someone who has this
disorder.

9. Know what is typical for people
who suffer from this emotional
illness… and it is an illness just as
is heart disease or cancer.

10. There are also
support groups
available for you.

11. 2. Try to
imagine what
it's like.

12. Can you even begin to imagine living
in your loved one's skin?

13. She probably has
many of the same
feelings you do.

14. She doesn't want
to feel this way.

15. The hopelessness
can be unbearable.

16. That's why there are suicides.

17. 3. Remember
who the person
really is.

18. You may feel like you've lost the
person you loved.

19. He or she is hiding
somewhere under all the
helplessness, all the
despair, all the inability to
move out of bed, as well
as all the actions you
don't recognize.

20. Hold onto your memory of her.

21. 4. Be a listening
ear.

22. Allow the individual to talk about his
feelings.

23. Hand her tissues while
she cries. Each depressed
person needs people who
love and accept them as
he or she is.

24. This provides the
strength to fight
this illness.

25. 5. Get help if
needed

26. If your loved one hasn't gotten
assistance, encourage them to do
so.

27. Sometimes you
have to do things
which may seem
cruel.

28. Set firm boundaries.

29. Say, "No, I won't do that until
you go to the doctor.”

30. If you are worried about
suicidal behavior call 911
and get him or her to the
emergency room.

31. Yes, they will
probably be angry,
but do it anyway

32. 6. Be aware of
medication side
effects.

33. Know the medications your friend or
family member is taking.

34. Be aware of
complications
which can occur
from these drugs.

35. Know drug interactions as well as
food and alcohol interactions.

36. One debilitating side
effect of anti-depressants
is the exact thing the
drug is meant to make
better.

37. If you are concerned, get help.

38. Recovery from depression can be a
long road.

39. The sufferer will
need all the
assistance he or
she can get.

40. You will also need
assistance.

41. Take care of
yourself or you will
not be able to take
care of him or her.