how do i help a depressed friend?
92962
Your friend needs you to be there no matter how long it takes. Make sure this person is seeking help. Probably chemical imbalance and needs the right meds. The problem is finding the right doctor who can put her on the right meds. Family physicians can give her meds, but she really needs to see a specialest who knows what he is doing. The wrong doctor may mean the end of her life. \nYou must not give up and always be there no matter how sick you get of hearing about this problem. Of course, if this person will not seek professional help, there may be hardships in your friendship.
405843
Tell her that you love her as a friend and if there is anything you can do to help. Trust me i thought about sucide and that helped me when my friend said that to me and made me feel loved. Tell her you don't wanna do this just think of all the people you will meat later on in your life and there r so many thing to look forward to. I hope this helped you and i wanna wish you the best of luck
807232
Be mature, but also be fun. When you see she's sad, go ask her whats wrong. Always try to help her out. When she's being silly, be silly with her, when she's being serious, be serious with her. Make your moods follow hers so she see's you can be whatever u want her to be. Spend some time with her, and when you get to know her, treat her lyk you'd treat any other friend.
467488
LET HER GET IT ALL OUT,CRY,THAT WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR HER ANYWAY, TRY BE ATTENTIVE AND OFFER HER SUPPORT! SHE IS OBVIOUSLY HAVING A HARD TIME DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM, AND YOU MUST FEEL QUIT PROUD THAT SHE'S TURNED TO YOU 4 ADVICE.SHE TRUSTS YOU, AND THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR!!!!
1020735
I suffered with various kinds of mental illness for years and there are some practical and helpful things you can do without seeing the doctor with regard to lifestyle\n\nMake sure that he is eating properly and healthily. Cut out the junk food have regular balanced healthy meals. Make sure he is sleeping properly or at least going to bed at regular times and getting out of bed at the same time. If he is drinking or using drugs to try and self medicate to deal with the depression, then you must try to convince him to stop and avoid both of these things..as it will only make his troubles far worse. This is practical stuff which is good for all people who suffer from depression. \n\nOmega 3 fish oils have been shown to help in depression so make sure he is eating some oily fish. Some gentle exercise, go for a walk with him once a day, spend some time outdoors. Do all this this regularly and have a routine. Routine helps to order people's thoughts when their minds are in disorder. Lifestyle changes such as these can help people to manage depression more easily.\n\nAsk him to think about when he feels most anxious, and what is happening at that time. Then he can determine what situations trigger anxiety or make him feel particularly bad, and either avoid these situations or learn to manage them in a better way mentally.\n\nRemember, depression is a disease caused in the mind, and it can be helped better by the mind. By keeping mind and body healthy then the condition will usually improve. He is lucky to have somebody so supportive in his life, but make sure you look after yourself too.\n\nS\nx
666959
I think your friend has self esteem issues. She's probably just looking for attention, so try talking to her and trying to get to the root of the problem of why she feels like she's helpless or 'pathetic'. If you take an interest in her it's better than one sharp line to make her feel better once. You can't always keep milking that catch phrase if you will, to make her feel better every time, after a while it will go stale and you'll need something else.
804595
Its hard to be put in that spot but happiness has to come from within. You might be able to help her through whatever is really hurting her. Just ask her what she is struggling with and talk to her.
369036
A friend maybe just what she needs,if you feel you want to be nice and help ,by all means talk to her.\ndont be afraid of that ,just be normal and yourself,say you want to understand and be of help.\nthe best advice always is to point out the pleasures of being alive and the oppertunities still awaiting.\n bad feelings are not permanent ,
661291
She sounds very tired, scared and very frustrated. Right now what she probably needs is a FRIEND, someone to lean on. So I would advise for you to go and accidently bump into her. Show to her that you still care and want to help her, but don't look like you pity her or she will become worse. Try and get her to relax, unwind because all.\nI think it would help if you did research on depression.
91567
With compassion.  Your friend probably needs you more now than ever before.  It will be difficult, as it is with anyone you know is dying, but just being a friend is the best thing you can do.
392824
You can pray for her. Make sure that she knows tha you are there for her. Be a really good friend to her. Maybe you could talk to her on the phone a little. Maybe she could get some help, it could be from you, God, other friends, or even a counselor
89646
you can always talk to your doctor about anti-depressants, or if you know you or someone you know is depressed then find what makes him/her depressed and keep them away form it and lead them towards things of a fun and loving nature. If it is you yourself then find friends of a positive attitude to keep you mind off the thing that dpresses you and try to look on life with a positive attitude. Depression is like a major sadness that leaves you stripped of all desire to do anything, so the best way to cope with it is to stay active and deny your brain the though of the act that depresses you.
760726
It would be good for her to have treatment for depression.  If she is depressed and tired she may not be able to handle bathing, etc.  Ask her if you can run the tub water for her and get her some new towels and cloths to use.  Ask her what her favorite soap is and get it.  Do some laundry for her or buy new clothes at the thrift store or get her a voucher at Salvation Army, etc.  Once she sees how much you care she may get motivated.  She needs to see her doctor about the depression which is a serious medical condition.  Best of luck to you!!  You are a wonderful person for caring about others!!
548055
Maybe just try talking to her first and see if she'll let you know what's going on, and if she's really depressed, maybe suggest your friend to talk to a psychologist...someone who will LISTEN and not JUDGE them for anything they say.  That could help them get to the root of some of the feelings they're having.  Good luck and I hope for the best for your friend! =)
854168
She needs to get help right away. I'm not sure how old she is and if she still lives with her parents. If she does, you have to make the difficult decision of telling them. They may not realize how seriously she is depressed. If she is an adult, it is hard to force someone to get help. If someone is about to commit suicide, then 911 can be called. Otherwise, you can encourage them to talk to their doctor, talk to a distress centre/suicide prevention line, talk to a counsellor or go to the emergency room of a hospital. Try to keep the lines of communication as open as you can. She needs to know that people care about her. With that said, if she does hurt herself that is not your fault. You are doing what you can. She is lucky to have a caring friend like you. I hope things work out really well.
222216
Look in the phone book under counseling, or something similar.  Most cities have free 24-hour services that can help you find someone to speak with.  That's if you feel you are overwhelmed with depression.  If it's minor depression, exercise.  Studies have shown that exercising can be just as effective as an anti-depressant for someone who is only moderately depressed.
929554
It sounds as if your friend suffers from serious depression. I know your intentions to help her are good, but if her condition is due to psychological causes there is nothing you can do for her. She definitely needs professional help. Can't you talk to her parent about this? They have to do something less it ends in a tragedy. I admire you for being such a wonderful friend to her. And believe me, one day she will be grateful too.