What advice can I give to a friend that is depressed?
469886
First I would advise against referring this friend to mental heath care unless you believe him/her to be seriously suicidal (even then, pray about it first). From first-hand experience, I can say that doctors, no matter how well meaning, rarely can make things better, especially if they are not christian. Mental hospitals can keep patients alive, but they can't make the root problem better. Only God can do that.\n\nSecond, as someone else said, advice is not usually welcome in someone depressed, so think carefully before you speak. I can't give you any specific help except don't give general advice (for example, suggest he/she take a fifteen minute walk each morning and evening, rather than the more general, "be more active").\n\nFinally, instead of specific verses, I would suggest reading with her/him everyday if he/she will allow it. What may not strike you may be the exact key that they need. The King James Version (this is not evident in any other version) also has a soothing property in its sound arrangement which scientists have found helps to calm distress.\n\nIf he she is suicidal, I would suggest this section in which Paul describes feeling the same way:\n2 Corinthians 1:3-10, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;\nWho comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.\nFor as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.\nAnd whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.\nAnd our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.\nFor we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:\nBut we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:\nWho delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;"\n\nGod bless you and help your friend.
933196
theres many things you can do. when im depressed or feeling low, i call or talk to one of my friends or family members. i also like listening to music. another thing you can do is eat your favorite food.
417922
Tell her you care. and keep saying that. \n\n\n Suicide is a cry for help, when you feel alone.\n Don't let her feel alone.
71462
Tell your friend she deserves to be happy and she will probably need a therapist to help her through this.
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
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
166467
I have a friend that was going through severe deppression and she didn't think anything was wrong with her. Her life was falling apart and she was pushing everyone that loved her away. I talked to her about different things that were going on in her life; I gradually pointed out some things she could do to help change them. I also gave her examples of my own experiences with depression and was able to help her relate to many of them with her life. I was able after several discussions; that maybe she should call her Dr. and discuss what is going on with her. When she was able to bring herself to do this , she realized that many of the problems were in her head and not what she thought they were. But, in the end it has to be that person willing to recognize that they are ill and need treatment. Until then all you can do is be supportive, loving, and truthful. The best friend is one who can be honest in a non-threatening, loving manner.
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!!!!
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.
1111361
Depends what they're depress about? But go out and have fun and be around people who will make you forget why you're depress, and talk to someone about it.
996850
People with BP disorder and with depression have higher than normal rates of suicide. Some people are better able to cope with their disorder, such as when they are down, but a stressful event like a breakup can trigger feelings of despair and helplessness, even suicide.\n\nYou should definitely be there for your friend and try to help them out by telling them that things will get better. But you have to keep in mind that with a disorder like BP, your friend should take their medication, and the medication may be the only effective way to get them back on track. Try to talk to them and help them understand why it is important to take the meds, but don't say "Take the meds so you don't go suicidal." Just offer reassuring words and help them understand why the meds are important.  People with BP aren't "psycho" so you don't have to pretend with them. Just be honest but reassuring.
72235
Make your friend understand that you are here for him/her and that sadness or bad situations never last, try to give him/her hope and if it's really serious advise him/her to see a doctor who could bring light to such mental ordeal(hope you understand what I mean)
12348
Tell her to get over herself- theres no point being depressed- get out and lose weight get a hot Boyfriend and stop moaning-shes the only one who can do anythign about it!
117917
Depression is something that should be evaluated by a health care professional, to begin with.\nBe meticulous about taking the medications as prescribed, if that is the case.\nHowever, there are many things you still can and should do, to get a grip on it. \nFirst of all, following the advice from the health care professional, get involved with counseling. \nA therapist, who I would suggest to be a Psychologist, should help you to sort much of the mind confusion that accompanies depression. \nA Christian counselor, will guide you to seek help from the spiritual realms, since most depressed patients feel very lonely and also feel that their prayers are not answered.\nRelatives or very good friends should keep you company as much as possible to handle the oppressive loneliness that comes with it.  \nPrepare an agenda of things to do, the previous night. Stay busy. Do not overwork yourself. Measure the workload as much as possible.\nExercise. Include that in your agenda. \nSet up goals. Adjust your goals accordingly with the results you will be achieving. \nDo your best to get a vision for your life. Usually (not always), depression is the result of a traumatic event that threw you off the path you had for your life, and you find yourself in a situation where you feel your life has no purpose anymore.
961231
If you can, just let her carry on talking and crying. Let her get it out of her system if you feel comfortable with that.\n\nThe "cheer up, stop crying" is only to be used if YOU cannot handle the situation - as those words never actually help the person who is tearful!\n\nDepends also on how well you get on and what gener you are. If a trusted friend or you are also a woman, resting a hand on her shoulder *MAY* be appropriate if you have had SOME sort of contact before. If not, then perhaps best avoided.\n\nWas there something in particular that you WANTED to do?
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!!
1081951
damn...i know the best cure for depression is to sit at sea and observe the horizon...for many days under the sun...allow her to be in a jolly environment for most of her time. else she should see a psychiatrist/psycologist.