Sometimes you just need to listen. 4. Depression is a real—and treatable—illness. 10 Things to Say to a Suicidal Person. Here are some words to say that will show your support, while also allowing the person to feel what they are feeling. That’s why telling someone that they’re important to you, that you need them in their life, and that they matter can be so comforting. It’s also common for depressed people to say hurtful things and lash out in anger. 2006;21(1):140-51. doi:10.1037/0882-7974.21.1.140, Werner-Seidler A, Afzali MH, Chapman C, Sunderland M, Slade T. The relationship between social support networks and depression in the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being. Be there for them, even if you don’t have a similar personal experience. Finally, the risk of suicide is high in those living with depression. No matter what you say or what you do to help your friend, they may still experience suicidal thoughts and feelings. Anybody with anxiety can accurately proclaim that this belief is false, but that does not stop people (including some very influential people with the power to change national medical and social policies) believing that mental illness is series of imaginary afflictions concocted by people hoping to gain pity from the masses. It puts the ball entirely in the depressed person’s court ― and they’ll just say, ‘No I’m fine’ because they don’t have the willpower to express their needs or make choices.” ― @AlecWithPen. Cheer up, buddy! Support — both social support and professional — is important. Don't accuse, threaten, blame, or make light of what your friend is feeling. We all wish to fix things for those we care about and often offer quick fixes to cope with our own feelings of helplessness. Don’t ruin a good day thinking about a bad yesterday. Block, MD, Tell Them You Understand (If You Really Do), Assure Them They're Not Weak or Defective, How to Talk to Your Kids About Depression, What You Need to Know if Your Partner Is an Introvert, How to Be There for Someone You Care About, How to Help a Friend or Loved One With Anxiety, How to Talk to Your Doctor About Depression, Worst Things to Say to Someone Who Is Depressed, Ways to Support a Victim of Sexual Assault, Tips on Disclosing Your Depression to Friends, How to Support a Friend or Loved One With an Eating Disorder, 4 Things You Should Never Say to Someone During a Panic Attack, Daily Tips for a Healthy Mind to Your Inbox, Loneliness as a specific risk factor for depressive symptoms: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, The relationship between social support networks and depression in the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being, Seeking help for depression from family and friends: A qualitative analysis of perceived advantages and disadvantages, The link between depression and physical symptoms. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. It’s a good reminder that you’re listening, you see them, and you’re here to help them cope. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. What do you say to someone who is severely depressed? This can be hard to believe when depressed, but can also be incredibly helpful in a crisis. Instead, let them know that you are sorry that they are feeling so badly and adopt an attitude of acceptance that this is how their depression is affecting them. There is nothing that a person can say to cure depression in someone else, but being supportive and a good listener can help. 1. It can be as simple as picking up a phone, sharing a meal, or driving them to an appointment. Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2016 Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Adults with Major Depressive Disorder: Section 3. “Don’t say, ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’ It’s such a nice thing to say, but I 100 percent hate it. Behaviors to watch for include: Depression is the most common condition that’s associated with suicide. People with depression often don’t love themselves, and thus find it impossible to believe that anyone else can. This is from the data we have. Depression can make many people feel alone and like they should isolate. Through the use of medications and therapy, your friend has a very good chance of returning to feeling normal again. When they’re having a hard time and need someone to talk to, they may remember your offer and come to you. People seek help from professional psychologists for many different challenges. We humans are a complex bunch, and even with all the loving intent in the worldit can be difficult to know what to say. Instead, when trying to figure out what to say to someone who lost a loved one, try this. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline offers you a toolkit for supporting people on social media, down to specific platforms like Facebook and Twitter. 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