Help Them

Depression is an illness characterised by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities normally enjoyed, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for at least two weeks.

Remember:

Depression is an illness and not a character weakness.
Depression can be treated. What treatment is best and how long the depression lasts depends on the severity of the depression.
The support of carers, friends and family facilitates recovery from depression. Patience and perseverance is needed, as recovery can take time.
Stress can make depression worse

Here’s how to help if you think someone you care about is depressed:

Make it clear that you want to help, listen without judgement, and offer support.
Find out more about depression.
Encourage them to seek professional help when available. Offer to accompany them to appointments.
If medication is prescribed, help them to take it as prescribed. Be patient; it usually takes a few weeks to feel better.
Help them with everyday tasks and to have regular eating and sleeping patterns.
Encourage regular exercise and social activities.
Encourage them to focus on the positive, rather than the negative.
If they are thinking about self-harm, or have already intentionally harmed themselves, do not leave them alone. Seek further help from the emergency services or a health-care professional. In the meantime, remove items such as medications, sharp objects and firearms.
Take care of yourself too. Try to find ways to relax and continue doing things you enjoy.

Are you concerned that someone you care about might be suicidal?

Suicides are preventable. It is okay to talk about suicide. Asking about suicide does not provoke the act of suicide. It often reduces anxiety and helps people feel understood.

Look out for these warning signs that someone may be seriously thinking about suicide

Threatening to kill oneself.
Saying things like “No-one will miss me when I am gone.”
Looking for ways to kill oneself, such as seeking access to pesticides, firearms or medication, or browsing the internet for means of taking one’s own life.
Saying goodbye to close family members and friends, giving away of valued possessions, or writing a will.

Who is at risk of suicide?

People who have previously tried to take their own life.
Someone with depression or an alcohol or drug problem.
Those who are suffering from severe emotional distress, for example following the loss of a loved one or a relationship break-up.
People suffering from chronic pain or illness.
People who have experienced war, violence, trauma, abuse or discrimination.
Those who are socially isolated.

Here’s how you can help someone who may be contemplating suicide:

Find an appropriate time and a quiet place to talk about suicide with the person you are worried about. Let them know that you are there to listen.
Encourage the person to seek help from a professional, such as a doctor, mental health professional, counsellor or social worker. Offer to accompany them to an appointment.
If you think the person is in immediate danger, do not leave him or her alone. Seek professional help from the emergency services, a crisis line, or a health-care professional, or turn to family members.
If the person you are worried about lives with you, ensure that he or she does not have access to means of self-harm (for example pesticides, firearms or medication) in the home.
Stay in touch to check how the person is doing.

Are you worried that your child may be depressed?

Additional signs and symptoms of depression during childhood include withdrawal from others, irritability, excessive crying, difficulty concentrating at school, a change in appetite or sleeping more or less. Younger children may lose interest in play. Older children may take risks that they would not normally take. Depression is both preventable and treatable.

Here’s how to help a child who may be depressed:

Talk to him or her about things happening at home, at school and outside of school. Try to find out whether anything is bothering him or her.
Talk to people you trust who know your child.
Seek advice from your health-care provider.
Protect your child from maltreatment, violence and excessive stress.
Pay particular attention to your child’s wellbeing during life changes such as starting a new school or puberty.
Encourage your child to get enough sleep, eat regularly, be physically active, and to do things that he or she enjoys.
Make time to spend with your child.
If your child has thoughts of harming him- or herself, or has already done so, seek help from a trained professional immediately

Source: http://www.searo.who.int/srilanka/areas/englishdepressionhandouts.pdf