This presentation discusses depression and provides information to help friends and family support loved ones suffering from the illness. It defines depression as a condition where people feel low self-esteem, dislike themselves and feel unhappy. Common symptoms are listed such as feeling unhappy, tired with no energy, irritable, and worthless. The presentation emphasizes the importance of medical help and emotional support from loved ones. It provides suggestions for support, such as spending time together, encouraging social activities, and expressing love, while advising against blaming or shaming the depressed person.

1. HOW DOES IT FEEL?
Presented by I M Confident Niagara Canada
Created by Brenda Silveira February 2010
www.imconfident.com

2. THIS IS A SPECIAL
PRESENTATION ABOUT
MENTAL ILLNESS
• The first presentation in the series is about
DEPRESSION
• It is for families and friends of people
suffering from this illness
• The purpose of this presentation is to
– help you understand the illness better
– show you ways to help your loved one cope
with the illness

3. DEPRESSION
People with
depression suffer from
low self-esteem,
dislike themselves and
feel unhappy a lot.
The following slides will
show you a few of the
symptoms to watch for.

4. UNHAPPY, SAD, CRY EASY

5. NO ENERGY, WANT TO
SLEEP, NO MOTIVATION

6. IRRITABLE,
SHORT-TEMPERED, ANGRY

7. MISERABLE, WANT TO BE
ALONE

8. INABILITY TO CONCENTRATE

9. FEEL LIKE THE WORLD IS
CLOUD-COVERED

10. WORTHLESS, LIKE A
FAILURE

11. UGLY, FAT, SELF-ACCUSING

12. HATE EXISTENCE
HOPE TO DIE

13. ALL ALONE, HATED BY ALL

14. DEPRESSION IS A VERY
CONTROLLING ILLNESS
It is extremely important to get medical help, so a
proper assessment can be made.
With the correct medication, therapy and self help,
it is possible to recover.
It is also important that family and friends
emotionally support the person with the illness.
Without continuing, loving support – recovery is not
always possible.
Here are some things you should and should not do
to help your loved one.

15. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER
• Tell them to ‘snap out of it’
• Tell them to stop hurting everyone else
• Tell them they are selfish
• Tell them they are lazy
• Tell them they are just looking for attention
• Tell them they are stupid

16. HERE ARE SOME THINGS
YOU CAN DO
SPEND SOME TIME TOGETHER

17. ENCOURAGE THEM TO MAKE
NEW FRIENDS OR
JOIN A GROUP

18. BRING THEM SOMETHING
SPECIAL

19. HELP THEM MAKE A
SCHEDULE – A REGULAR
ROUTINE AND KEEPING
BUSY IS HELPFUL

20. GIVE THEM A HUG AND TELL
THEM YOU LOVE THEM
I love
you!

21. GET THEM TO VOLUNTEER
WITH A LOCAL
ORGANIZATION
Helping others raises self-esteem and builds
confidence.
Some good ideas are
working with adults,
children or animals.

22. HELP THEM START OR
RENEW A HOBBY OR
INTEREST

23. GO ON A VACATION OR JUST
RELAX

24. GET THEM TO JOIN AN
EXERCISE GROUP

25. WATCH FUNNY MOVIES WITH
THEM AND LAUGH - LOTS

26. LOOK IN THE MIRROR WITH
THEM AND HAVE THEM SAY
‘I LOVE YOU’ 10 TIMES
Tell them to
do this at
least 3
times a day
themselves.

27. ABOVE ALL, MAKE THEM
FEEL LOVED AND WANTED

28. DEPRESSION CAN BE A DARK,
LONELY, FEARSOME PLACE.
HELP US MAKE EVERYONE’S WORLD
FULL OF COLOUR
LET’S ALWAYS TAKE TIME TO MAKE
SURE WE SHARE OUR TIME AND
TALENTS WITH OTHERS.
KEEP WORDS KIND, ACTIONS CARING
AND TREAT EVERYONE AS YOU
WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED.
FAMILIES AND FRIENDS CAN CHANGE
BLACK INTO COLOUR.