How to Help a Friend Suffering from Anxiety or Depression?

Learn about what your friend is going through

It is challenging to spot the difference between the regular stress of daily life and mental health issues like depression or anxiety. People going through such mental health issues may feel embarrassed to talk about it for fear of how their friends might react. Here are some signs of depression and anxiety that you can watch out for:

Signs of depression:

● Seems tearful or more sad than usual

● Feels hopeless or pessimistic about the future

● Speaks about feeling worthless, empty or guilty

● Sleeps too much or too little

● Skips work, school or daily activities

● Avoids hanging out with friends and family

● Has become addicted to alcohol or drugs

● Has lost interest in grooming themselves

● Talks about death or suicide

Signs of anxiety:

● Feels restless, light-headed, nauseous, excessively sweaty, breathless, or experiences diarrhoea frequently

● Wants everything to be perfect

● Avoids new people and places

● Is indecisive

● Needs reassurance about everything

● Is losing sleep

● Feels that the worst will happen

● Constantly worries and is irritable

● Shows compulsive behaviour

If you notice these signs and symptoms, tell your friend that you are there for them and suggest seeking help.

Listen to them and be welcoming and open

Ask your friend if they feel like talking. Let them know that you will support them no matter what. If you find it hard to figure out what to say, you could start with “Looks like things have been difficult for you lately. Would you like to talk about it? How can I help?”

Make sure you are in a private place and relaxed before bringing up such a sensitive issue with your friend. Do not push them to accept your help or talk about their feelings if they are not ready. Instead, give them time and let them know you care.

Take your friend’s feelings seriously

Never tell a friend to “get over it”, “cheer up”, “shake it off”, “snap out of it”, or “forget it” when they are showing signs of mental health problems. Let them know that you understand they are going through a difficult time and that you support them. Avoid saying insensitive things like their fears are unfounded or what they are feeling is weird.

Help your friend find support

Your friend may not know how to seek help for their problem. Offer support by encouraging your friend to talk to a healthcare professional and get a referral to a psychologist.

Find and recommend online chat-based or phone helpline that offer counselling for mental health concerns. You can also suggest some coping strategies for stress, such as yoga, regular exercise, meditation, etc.

Continue supporting them and respond to emergencies

On particularly bad days, your friend may not even want to step out of the house. Try and encourage them to keep their appointment with their healthcare professional. Make sure they know they have support from you, other friends, and family.

If you think your friend may hurt themselves or others, contact emergency mental health services immediately.

Celebrate their successes

If your friend is making progress towards improving their mental wellbeing or confronting their fears, appreciate them for it. Even small successes matter when it comes to mental health and congratulating your friend for achieving it can make a huge difference.

Take care of yourself

You cannot support a friend going through anxiety or depression if you do not take care of your own wellbeing. So, make sure that while you are there for your friend, you do not give up doing activities you enjoy, and take time to rest and relax.

Set boundaries, as you may not be able to be there for your friend all the time. Decide on what you are willing to do and what you cannot do. For example, you may not want to miss social events because your friend does not feel like going.