Shake it off”, “It happens with everyone”, “You are a drama queen”. Do these responses ring a bell? Either you have heard them or often said the same to someone showing depressive tendencies. It’s no surprise that mentally ill patients are often labelled and their suffering often goes under the radar due to low awareness. The truth is that a mentally ill patient require as much as attention and care as anyone else with a physical illness, but are often met with a cold response. Ones with behavioural disorders suffer all the more. The symptoms exhibited by them ( frequent outbursts of anger, crying) are often unable to invoke compassion. Mental illness is caused by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors. On World Mental Health Day, we share numbers that reveal the extent of mental illness, the different types of mental illnesses and some tips on how you can help a loved one……
If you have, or believe you may have, mental health problem, it can be helpful to talk about these issues with others. It can be scary to reach out for help, but it is often the first step to helping you heal, grow, and recover.
Practical Ways to Support a Loved One with Depression
1. Encourage Professional Help Gently suggest speaking to a mental health professional. Offer to help them research therapists, drive them to an appointment, or just sit with them while they make the call. 2. Offer Consistent Support Don’t disappear after one conversation. Keep checking in, even if they don’t respond. Depression often causes people to pull away, but they still need connection. 3. Help With Everyday Tasks Simple things like cooking, cleaning, or running errands can feel overwhelming for someone with depression. Offering practical help can lighten their load and show you care. Take Care of Yourself, Too Supporting someone with depression can be emotionally taxing. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Make sure you’re taking care of your own mental health — whether that’s through therapy, talking to friends, journaling, or setting healthy boundaries.
Helping someone doesn’t mean sacrificing your well-being. It means being present and compassionate while also being grounded. Final Thought: Your Support Could Save a Life
Depression is an invisible illness, but its effects are deeply real. If you suspect someone you love is struggling, don’t wait for them to ask for help — they may not know how.
Your support could be the light that guides them through their darkest moments. Show up. Listen. Stay. Because healing often begins with feeling seen and understood.
