Talking to Friends & Family

Experts at the Mayo Clinic say that you can actually improve your mental health by strengthening your relationships. Here's what you may find when you reach out:

Encouragement: Friends and family help you do things that are healthy, like visiting your doctor when you're not well.
A sense of belonging: Relationships help you increase your self-esteem and give you a feeling of purpose.
A calming effect: Just knowing that someone is there for support can help.
Good times: Enjoy simple pleasures with friends to aid your overall health.

Start with how you're feeling

Be honest and straightforward about what you've been experiencing. It might be useful to describe your symptoms. Just talking about being depressed may be a relief.

Explain depression

Share what you know about depression—that it is a real disease with many causes, and that treatment can work. When friends and family understand your illness better, they'll be able to support you better.

Learning how to talk about depression

Conversation starters

By sharing how you're feeling with the people close to you, you are opening up the lines of communication and supporting your path toward recovery. Talking about depression may be difficult, so we've provided you with some ways to start a conversation with a friend or family member:

"I've seen a doctor about the way I've been feeling lately, and I want to tell you about it..."
"I've been diagnosed with depression, so I need to make my well-being a priority right now..."
"My doctor says I have depression. I'm getting treatment to help me feel better, but I could use your support, too..."

You can help your friends and family understand what you're experiencing by telling them to visit the Support Partners Web site. When you are depressed you can feel isolated and alone, which is why having a Support Partner—someone you can lean on and be honest with—can make a real difference. A Support Partner can be anyone who wants to help a friend or loved one who has depression. The Support Partners program offers downloadable tools to help build successful partnerships.

Suggest spending time together

Think of a few activities, like a morning walk or doing the crossword, which you can share with a friend or family member. Let your loved ones know that good times—and even just their company—can help you feel better.

Ask for what you need

You may just want to know that friends and family are there for you. Or, you might need help with practical things like driving you to the doctor or helping with chores. Don't be afraid to ask.

Remember that support is a two-way street

Your loved ones have their fair share of challenges, too—it's part of life. Sometimes depression can make it hard for you to be there for other people. Just let them know that you're trying, and that you care. It can go a long way to keeping relationships strong and healthy.

To learn more, consult the Resources and Links section of this Web site.