What you should know

• Depression is an illness and not a character weakness.
• Depression can be treated. What treatment is best and how long the depression lasts depend 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.

What you can do for people who are 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.