Tips For Supporting A Friend Whose Struggling With Depression

If your friend is experiencing depression, you probably want to provide support but might not know how. Here are a few tips on how to provide support to a friend struggling with depression.

  1. Make time for them – Your friend might not be interested in doing activities that you normally do. Make time to be able to spend time with your friend in a way that’s comfortable for them.
  2. Remind them that you’re there for them – Your friend might not want to reach out for help so it’s important that you keep reminding them that you are there.
  3. Don’t be afraid to give them a hug – Physical contact can be intimidating, but even touching your friend on the shoulder and giving them a hug can provide comfort and warmth.
  4. Just be there and be yourself – People sometimes think supporting means counseling. You don’t have to be a therapist to support your friend with depression. Just be there and be yourself.
  5. Keep in touch and offer unconditional love – Depression is something that goes away quickly. Keep reaching out to your friend with love during this tough time.

Click HERE for more depression tips on The Mighty.

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Tips For Supporting A Friend Whose Struggling With Depression

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Lucy Nguyen

Lucy Nguyen, LMFT
Clinical Reviewer

Lucy Nguyen is the Executive Director at Paradigm Treatment, overseeing all clinical treatment programs across the organization's southwestern region. Her extensive experience includes working with young adults in private practice, serving as a therapist for children and teens with emotional and behavioral needs, and acting as a behavior interventionist for teens with developmental disorders. Lucy integrates cognitive-behavioral approaches with mindfulness and compassion in her work, and she is also EMDR-trained. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine.

If your friend is experiencing depression, you probably want to provide support but might not know how. Here are a few tips on how to provide support to a friend struggling with depression.

  1. Make time for them - Your friend might not be interested in doing activities that you normally do. Make time to be able to spend time with your friend in a way that's comfortable for them.
  2. Remind them that you're there for them - Your friend might not want to reach out for help so it's important that you keep reminding them that you are there.
  3. Don't be afraid to give them a hug - Physical contact can be intimidating, but even touching your friend on the shoulder and giving them a hug can provide comfort and warmth.
  4. Just be there and be yourself - People sometimes think supporting means counseling. You don't have to be a therapist to support your friend with depression. Just be there and be yourself.
  5. Keep in touch and offer unconditional love - Depression is something that goes away quickly. Keep reaching out to your friend with love during this tough time.

Click HERE for more depression tips on The Mighty.

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