What to do if a loved one is depressed

   It can feel very powerless when a loved one is depressed. Seeing someone else struggle is a heartbreaking experience, and it can be hard to find the best way to help them. The first thing you should know when someone close to you is depressed is that you alone cannot cure them. Depression is a serious mental illness that cannot be cured by simply “cheering up” the depressed person. Depression and sadness are far from the same. Another important thing to remember is that you should not feel guilty that your loved one is depressed, and you must not make them feel guilty for being depressed either. Your loved one is likely already struggling with the fact that their depression is making you sad, so you should not ever make them feel more guilty than they already do, no matter how much pain you are in. Also, depression is a mental illness that can occur due to a myriad of factors, such as genes, trauma, physical illness, stress, and even other medications. You are not the reason that your loved one is depressed. Depression is caused by larger factors than one person.
    Some things you can do to make life easier for a depressed person are reaching out to them, treating them how you would any other person, and being there to listen. When people are depressed, they have the tendency to distance themselves from other people. Thoughts such as “I am a burden to other people” and “They can probably find someone more fun to spend time with” run through depressed minds all too often. These feelings of worthlessness can even lead to one being bedridden for days at a time. Because loneliness is such a prevalent and painful feeling for depressed people, the best thing one can do to help a loved one who is suffering from depression is reaching out. Even if you invite them out to lunch or to a museum and they decline the invitation, at least they know you are making an effort to spend time with them, which means a lot to someone who feels so lonely. When you do spend time with said depressed loved one, make sure to not treat them differently than you would any other person you care about. When depressed people aren’t treated as a sob story, it makes them feel more connected. Bringing up one’s depression in a public setting singles them out in a very uncomfortable manor. Lastly, it is important to always be there to listen. If your depressed loved one trusts you enough to talk about what they are going through, it is imperative that you listen actively and without judgment. Try to respond with phrases like “I’m so sorry you are going through this” or “you are so strong”. Depressed people have to go through a lot everyday, and it is important to do all you can to support your depressed loved one on their journey to recovery.