Talk
Talk is very important for anyone who is depressed. Talking helps the depressed person express emotions and ideas. It’s a lifeline to the world.
There is a need in the depressed person to talk about his/her experience. That talk might not make sense to you or it may even alarm you. However, that’s how depression makes the person feel and view the world. Depression isolates and makes people vulnerable. By talking, a depressed person is able to connect with someone outside of the darkness and cling to hope.
Talk can also help someone realize that he/she is depressed. Grief, for example, can lead a person into depression. By bringing up the subject of depression, you might help your friend realize that what he/she is feeling is more than grief.
“Do you want to talk? Do you feel like talking?” are good ways to start a conversation. “How can I help you? I’m here if you want to talk. I love you. Look forward, past your pain, and see it won’t always be this way.”