Beat the holiday blues

How to help a friend in need
Wondering what you should do around a friend you think is mildly or moderately depressed this holiday season?

• Be patient. It can take weeks for a person who is depressed to feel better.

• Be sensitive.

• Offer back rubs, tea or favourite snacks. Small offers of kindness, as
well as engaging in activities that are fun or provide a sense of
accomplishment, go a long way toward lifting spirits.

• Encourage her to see a doctor or therapist if things get really bad.

• If she threatens suicide, take her to a hospital immediately.

• Be a nonjudgmental listener.

• Invite her to activities, even if she may sometimes refuse.

• Continue to call and keep in touch; let her know someone cares.

Here's what not to do
• Don't tell her to just snap out of it. Depression is a medical condition that takes time to heal.

• Don't tell her that you understand why she's depressed; unless you've been there yourself, you don't.

• Don't tell her she will feel better soon. That can be interpreted as proof that you don't understand the disease and can make her feel more alienated.

• Don't be pushy. This can cause a depressed person to withdraw even more.

• Don't be judgmental. Depression is not anyone's fault.

• Don't expect her to be the same as when she is not depressed.

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