Have you ever heard about depression? How much do you know about it? Last week, I attended a mental health first aid standard course offered by Mental Health First Aid International to learn more about different mental health diseases. In this article, I will share with you more about depression. 

 

What is depression? 

Depression is a mental disorder which affects patients’ lives and their interpersonal relationships. Patients usually have depressed moods which last for at least two consecutive weeks. They usually are not interested in any activities or hobbies because they do not have the motivation to engage in the activities. Sometimes, they even feel guilty when they believe that they are useless. Some patients who suffer from serious depression may think of committing suicide. 

 

What should I do if I have a friend who has some depression symptoms? 

You should remember that you are not a doctor who can offer medicines to your friends. However, you should introduce some resources to them. The Hospital Authority has a website which includes all the psychiatric day hospitals (website: click here). Apart from telling them to visit the psychiatric day hospitals, you can also provide a list of clinical psychologists offered by the Hong Kong Psychological Society for them (website: click here). 

 

What should I do if my friends are unwilling to see a psychiatrist? 

It is understandable that your friends may be unwilling to see a psychiatrist, especially when people have prejudice over some depression patients. However, the earlier the intervention takes place, the higher the chance of recovery. You can convince them to seek professional help with the right attitude. First, you should be less judgmental and accept your friends’ depression symptoms. When you persuade them, you should let them talk about their feelings first. Then, it would help if you were genuine and empathetic. Instead of expressing your opinion, you should let your friends understand that you are trying to step into their shoes. When they feel your sincerity, they are encouraged to seek professional help. 

 

How can I help my friends apart from providing some resources to them? 

The treatment of depression is a long journey. Unlike infectious diseases, which you can recover quickly, depression takes a lot of time to recover. You can encourage them when they feel depressed and hopeless. You can also remind them that life is full of hope and they can finish the whole treatment. 

 

My friends tell me that they want to commit suicide due to depression; what should I do? 

You should stay calm first. Then, you should ask them if they have any planning to commit suicide. For example, you can ask them when and where they are going to commit suicide. Also, you should ask them if they have any past experiences of committing suicide. The more details they tell you about their suicide plans, the higher risk for them to commit suicide. When you know the time and places where they are going to commit suicide, you can call the police and get to the places as soon as possible. When you approach them, you should let them express their feelings and thoughts. Meanwhile, you should not say something like “Be positive!” and “Everything will be all right.” Those sentences allow them to have more negative thoughts in their minds. You should keep accompanying them before the police officers arrive. 

 

In conclusion, depression is a mental disorder which affects patients’ daily lives. When your friends have some depression symptoms, you should offer some resources for them to seek professional help and encourage them to finish the whole treatment. If they want to commit suicide, you should accompany them and call the police. Now, you know what to do when your friends have depression, right?