Just the facts – family and friends, helping someone with depression

afterdeployment.com has some great cheat sheets on various topics. The topics are focused enough that they are not overwhelming and are very specific. Here’s a paste of one as a sample, and below that is a link to take you to the rest. I recommend going through the list and printing off any you need or think you will need in the foreseeable future.

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JUST THE FACTS:

Helping Family and Friends

How to Help Someone Who’s Depressed

EXCERPT

The most important thing to do for someone who may be depressed is to assist him/her in getting help. Here are
some suggestions:

• Ask the person if they have had thoughts about hurting themselves. Asking communicates that it’s okay
to talk about it.

• Offer understanding, patience, and encouragement.

• Listen carefully. It is best not to judge or mock what the person is going through; it is better to point out
the positive, but realistic, aspects of their situation and offer hope that things will improve.

• Let the person know that even though he/she may have a strong urge to be alone, confiding in someone
or being with other people is better than being alone and secretive.

• Let the person know that his/her mood will improve with help, that getting better takes time and
patience, and he/she can feel better day-by-day.

• Help the person to stay with treatment until he/she gets better. If improvement is not evident, encourage
the person to seek treatment from other sources.

• Help the person follow a treatment plan, such as going to appointments and taking medication, if
prescribed. Offer to go with the person to his or her appointments.

• Help the person stop drinking alcohol or using drugs that aren’t prescribed. Substances may interact
with prescribed medication and/or make depression worse.

• Encourage the person to go out for walks and pleasant outings (going to the movies or lunch), and other
healthy activities (exercise). If he/she refuses, gently insist.

• Encourage the person to do some things that he/she once found fun, like hobbies or sports, or religious
or cultural activities. Don’t push him/her to take on too much too soon. The person needs company, but
too many demands can increase stress and thoughts of failure.

• DON’T ignore talk about suicide. Call 911 or any of the national suicide prevention hotlines: 1-800-
273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433).

What To Do If Someone Says They are Thinking about Suicide

READ MORE HERE

FIND LIST OF VARIOUS TOPICS HERE