New world with new challenges, Episode:03, How to help a person with depression

Assisting an individual with depression requires patience, understanding, and being willing to simply be there. Oftentimes, depressed individuals feel isolated even when they are surrounded by others. They may not always be able to verbalize what they are going through, and that is okay. What matters most is that they feel heard, understood, and accepted without pressure or judgment.

Listening is one of the most powerful ways to offer support. Many times, there is no need for advice or solutions, just a safe space where they can express themselves freely. Instead of trying to "fix" things, acknowledging their pain and validating their emotions can bring them comfort. A simple reassurance, like "I’m here for you," or "You don’t have to go through this alone," can make a world of difference. Depression is a dark world and that's where you can be a light for them. By sharing the helplessness of depression, one can get out from the cage of this world of suffocation and despair.

One of the hardest things about depression is that it isolates people even if they are surrounded by people. Checking in on them regularly, even when they don't always respond, lets them know they are being thought of. Sending a quick message like, "Thinking of you today, no pressure to respond," does it. Depression includes a feeling of guilt, and they may think they are a burden. Reminding them that they are loved and that they are important can go some way to combating those thoughts.

If they will listen, encouraging them to go to a professional can be a big step. Therapy, counseling, or even talking to a doctor can give them advice and support that their friends and family cannot. But it's very important to do this sensitively. Telling a person, "You need therapy" is daunting, but to tell them, "Talking to someone might be beneficial, and I can assist you in finding the appropriate person if you wish," provides them with a sense of control over their choices. If they are not willing, simply letting them know that professional help is an option and that they don't have to endure it alone can plant the seed for when they are ready.

It is exhausting caring for someone who is depressed, too. You need to take care of yourself, too. It doesn't have to be that you get tough for that person at the expense of neglecting your own needs. Having healthy boundaries enables you to be there for them without getting burned out. Getting your own help, through friends, through a counselor, or through something you do just for yourself, is not selfish—really, it's essential. You can't pour out of a dry cup, and self-care helps you to continue being a compassionate presence in their life.

And through it all, kindness, patience, and consistent support are the best things you can offer. Depression makes you feel like you're alone in the world, but knowing someone is there with no pressure, no judgment, is what's going to matter. It is not about finding the right things to say or even how to do it, just showing up, listening, and letting them know that they are not isolated.

Ultimately, it's most important to be kind and patient. Depression may be a solitary journey, but having a reminder that somebody does care, a somebody who'll offer no judgments, no coercion can lightened the trip somewhat.