5 Real Ways to Help a Friend Who Is Depressed

Schedule one-on-one time.

2. Ask open-ended questions. During your alone time, be curious about what’s going on in your friend’s life, and show them that you’re interested by asking open-ended questions. Ask about things that they once did and no longer do, such as working out, going to church or hanging out with friends. “Many people don’t even notice that they have slowly stopped enjoying the things they once loved,” Heck said. “That may be a good indicator that something is going on.”

3. Gently show them your concern. Relationship expert and author Ty Tashiro believes that “if someone is depressed, they probably are self-aware about it.” While your friend might be self-conscious about their declining mental health, showing that you’re concerned for them will make them feel like less of a burden. “I would let my friend know that feeling down from time to time is normal, but that they just don’t seem like themselves,” Heck said. She also recommends following up on this concern by encouraging your friend to do something positive for him or herself.

4. Help remove barriers to help. Although having a network of friends is a great asset to someone who is depressed, Heck stresses the importance of seeking out professional help. As a friend, help do research or ask for referrals of therapists in your area. If you can, drive your friend to their first appointment. By encouraging and helping your friend get help, you are making it easier for them to focus on their own mental health, rather than the logistics of seeing a professional.