Practical Ways to Help Someone You Care About Through Depression

Key Points

• Supporting someone you love with depression begins with small, compassionate actions like active listening, regular check-ins, and being patient.
• Encouraging your loved one to seek professional help is an essential step in their journey toward healing. Support services for depression are more accessible than ever.
• Recognising warning signs, such as hopelessness, withdrawal, or talk of self-harm, can help you know when professional support is urgently needed.
• Sureway Health & Wellbeing offers accessible, evidence-based psychology and counselling services, including in-person and telehealth options, to support individuals and families coping with depression.

Summary

Supporting a loved one, like a spouse, with depression can feel overwhelming, but your presence, patience, and small daily acts of care can make a meaningful difference in their recovery journey. From listening without judgment to gently encouraging professional help, there are many practical ways you can show up for someone who is struggling or helping a loved one cope with depression. It’s also important to recognise when your loved one may need more support than you can provide alone and to seek timely professional help. At Sureway Health & Wellbeing, our in-person and telehealth mental health counselling services are here to guide you and your loved one toward healing, resilience, and renewed hope.

Outline

1. Introduction
2. How to Support Someone with Depression
3. When to Seek Professional Support
4. How Sureway Health & Wellbeing Can Help
5. We’re Here For You

Depression goes beyond feelings of sadness. It’s a complex mental health condition that can impact every aspect of a person’s life, from their energy levels and sleep patterns to their relationships and daily functioning.

As someone who cares deeply about a partner, friend, or family member experiencing depression, you may feel helpless at times. But, your presence and support can make a meaningful difference.

In this article, we’ll gently guide you through practical ways to support someone you care about who may be facing depression, and help you understand when it might be time to reach out for professional support.

How to Support Someone with Depression

When someone you love is living with depression, it’s natural to want to help, even if you’re unsure where to start. The good news is that support doesn’t always have to come in the form of big gestures. It’s often the small, thoughtful actions that have the biggest impact.

Here are 10 practical ways you can offer support with compassion and care:

1. Start with compassion and active listening
   Let them know you’re there to listen without judgment and without needing to fix things. A warm, open ear can help your loved one feel heard and valued.

2. Encourage professional help
   Gently suggest the idea of speaking to a mental health professional. Make sure to emphasise that seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness but an important step towards healing.

3. Check in regularly
   A quick message, a short call, or a kind note can be a lifeline for people struggling with depression. It reminds them they’re not alone and that someone cares about them.

4. Offer practical support
   Depression can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming. Offering to cook, tidy up, or accompany them to appointments can ease that burden.

5. Be patient and don’t take things personally
   Your loved one might cancel plans with you or withdraw from social situations. When they do this, try to keep in mind that the issue isn’t about you. Instead, try to meet them with patience and understanding.

6. Learn about depression
   The more you understand the condition, the better you’ll be able to support your loved one. After all, depression can affect everyone differently. Being more aware also helps break down the stigma and fear commonly associated with mental health conditions.

7. Look after your own well-being
   Like the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Supporting a depressed person can be draining, so be sure to care for yourself too and be mindful of your physical and mental well-being. Doing so allows you to support your loved one more effectively.

8. Encourage small routines
   Getting up, showering, or stepping outside for a walk may seem like minor activities, but they can help build a sense of normalcy and control.

9. Celebrate small wins
   Acknowledging even the tiniest progress, such as making a phone call or getting out of bed, can help boost your loved one’s self-esteem.

10. Be consistent
    Being a steady, compassionate presence in the life of a person struggling with depression builds trust and safety. Even on the tough days, your reliability matters.

If you're supporting a partner with depression or supporting a spouse with depression, these gentle and thoughtful actions can help your loved one feel less alone and more supported.

When to Seek Professional Support

While your support is incredibly valuable, there may be times when professional intervention is essential. Depression is a medical condition, and just like with physical illnesses, timely and appropriate care can lead to better outcomes. Be on the lookout for signs like:

• Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Thoughts or talk of self-harm or suicide
• Major changes in appetite, sleep, or energy
• Complete withdrawal from social interaction
• Difficulty managing daily responsibilities
• Symptoms that persist or worsen despite your support

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to encourage your loved one to explore professional support services for depression. Whether through in-person therapy or telehealth mental health counselling, professional support can be a crucial turning point on their path to healing.

How Sureway Health & Wellbeing Can Help

At Sureway Health & Wellbeing, we understand how difficult it can be to reach out for help, both for the person experiencing depression and those who care for them. Our team is here to walk alongside you with empathy, expertise, and evidence-based support.

We offer flexible, person-centred psychology and counselling services designed to meet individuals where they are, emotionally and practically.

With options for both in-person appointments in Melbourne and convenient mental health telehealth services, we make access to care easier no matter where you live. Through telehealth mental health counselling, our experienced psychologists and counsellors can work with clients from the comfort and privacy of their own home. We focus on developing strategies that help build resilience, manage symptoms, and restore hope.

Our goal is to support individuals and families in achieving lasting, positive change, because everyone deserves the chance to feel better, cope better, and live well.

We're Here for You

If you’re supporting a depressed person and feel unsure about what to do next, always remember that you don’t have to go through this journey on your own. Sureway Health & Wellbeing is here to support both you and your loved one.

Reach out to our compassionate team today to learn more about our psychology and counselling options, including in-person and telehealth mental health counselling. Together, we can take the next step toward feeling better and achieving positive change.