We all know someone who has struggled with depression. Or maybe that is you!  No matter. Everyone needs help now and then. Because  I often get asked, how do I help someone who is depressed, here are 10 ways to help a friend who is depressed.

1. Don’t be afraid to talk about how the person feels. It’s not your job to cheer them up or make them feel better. What helps is asking open-ended questions and listening to what they tell you. Take what they say seriously and don’t minimize their feelings.
2. Reassure the person they are not a burden. Often, people with depression feel they are a burden to others and that the world would be better off without them. Make sure you let a depressed person know this is not true. They were created for a purpose, not to be a burden. Tell them your world would not be better off without them, but you understand there are in a dark night of the soul.
3. Remind the person that feelings are not truth. And feelings do change and pass. Right now they feel depressed, but there will be better days. Trust that this is true and do not let feelings dictate  behavior. Feelings do influence behavior but they can’t be trusted to always be true.
4. Stay present in the person’s life. Email, text, call and just let the person know you are thinking about them and praying for them. Stay connected as the depressed person tends to isolate which makes things worse and allows their mind to go negative.
5. Do practical things to help. Pick up food at the grocery store. Drive them to an appointment. Take a walk with them. Whatever you can do to keep the person in their routine while accessing help, is good.
6. Remind the person of their strengths. It’s too easy to think about all the negative things and what could go wrong. Remind them of their strengths and times when God moved in difficult circumstances.
7. Serve together. If you have a chance to work in a food pantry, provide meals to the homeless, help children read, etc. do it. Invite the person to serve with you. Service helps people with depression feel better. Consider serving in the church.
8. Use humor and laugh. If you can add humor to your relationship, it improves mood. The Bible tells us laughter is good medicine.
9. Encourage professional and spiritual help. Address all parts of your being: Body–exercise helps depression; Mind-renew your mind with the mind of Christ-read the Scripture and live in truth; Spirit-commune with God in prayer, attend a Bible study or small group, be around like-minded people who will encourage you and lift you up with the promises of God.
10. Maintain hope at all times. We have reason to hope. God works all things for our good, He never leaves us or forsakes us and promises His presence even when we don’t feel it.  Hope in HIM. Psalm 40: 1-2 says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.”