A guide to caring for depressed loved ones at home
What's the story
Helping someone with depression can be hard. If someone you know is clinically depressed, you might not know what to do and feel as though you can't do much to help. But there are things you can do to support and understand them and guide them to find the help they need. Here are some things you can do to help someone with depression.
Learn
First of all, educate yourself
Learn about depression and how it affects people. When you understand what they are going through, you will be in a better position to help them. It is also helpful to know about the different ways depression can be treated, so you can guide them toward getting the right support. With better knowledge, you will be able to identify symptoms and help them accordingly.
Professional help
Encourage them to seek professional help
Sometimes, people who are depressed don't realize why they are feeling that way. They might not know the signs of depression, so they think their feelings are just a normal part of life. Some people also believe they should be able to get better on their own. But the truth is, depression usually doesn't go away without professional intervention and can even get worse.
Daily tasks
Offer help and support for their daily tasks
While therapies to manage depression are important, your loved one might still need support with their daily tasks. You can offer to help them with things like shopping for groceries, doing laundry, or cleaning their room. You can also suggest going for a short walk together to get some fresh air. Also, help them to establish a daily routine.
Suicide risk
Understand the risk of suicide
It is important to know that people with depression have a higher risk of feeling suicidal. If someone is severely depressed, they might have thoughts of suicide or even a plan on how to do it. It's crucial to take these signs seriously and act right away. Contact their healthcare provider or a mental health professional and inform other close friends or family members.
Hope
Lend support and hope
Remember, it is not their fault that they are depressed. You cannot fix it, but your support and understanding matter. Encourage them to stay committed to their treatment by reminding them to take their prescribed medications and attend appointments. Be there to listen without judgment. Provide positive reinforcement, reminding them of their strengths and how much they mean to you.
Suicide help
Please seek help if you are having suicidal thoughts
If your loved one is suffering from suicidal thoughts, you can reach out to AASRA for suicide prevention counseling. Its number is 022-27546669 (24 hours open). You can also contact the Hyderabad-based Roshni NGO at +914066202000 or COOJ at +918322252525. Sneha India Foundation, which works 24x7, can be contacted at +914424640050. Vandrevala Foundation also has trained counselors, and its contact number is 18602662345.