Depression is an alarming issue that grow even bigger nowadays. Sadly, your age doesn’t do much with depression. Teens, adult, to old people can all equally get depressed. Help should be given as soon as possible to depressed people before they consider the worst decision: suicide.
The most important point about the tips to help friend with depression in Islam is by becoming their biggest supporter. Depression symptoms often invisible until it gets severe. So when your friend telling you that they feel like they have depression, go help them. Here are some useful tips for you.
- Understand Their Situation
People with depression often need simple things from others. They want to be understood. If you really want to help your depressed friends, listen to everything they say without any judgment. Make them feel valuable and important, so that it would be easier for them to pour all their feeling. Also read How to Choose Good Friends in Islam
- Don’t Judge Them for Being Ungrateful
Assuming that someone with depression is ungrateful for the blessings in their life is wrong. Not that they don’t know, they just unable to see it clearly. Depression is like a dense, black fog that blocking their vision from happiness. Instead, listen to their complain and create an opportunity for them to be grateful.
- Recognize Their Efforts
Just because they don’t get better doesn’t mean they don’t do anything to get out of it. Nobody wants to be trapped in a depression. It’s process that someone has to get through due to traumatic event and environment. Never ask them whether they really have done something to get better. They have, but they can’t get through it alone. As a good friend, offer your utmost help. More help they get, the faster they healed. Also read Ways to Overcome Depression In Islam
- Do Something That Makes Them Convenient
People with depression prefer to lock themselves alone in their house rather than go outside and socialize. Never force them to get out of the house if they don’t want to. Doing things that convenient for them is important. So at times when they just want to be home, offer activities that makes them happy. For example, lunch out at their favorite restaurant or taking a walk somewhere they like. You are the one who have to adjust with them.
- Don’t Act Like a Therapist
You are their friends, not a therapist. No matter how hard you’ve tried, it’s impossible for you to help them get out of a depression. Gather information about depression and what can you do to help them as a companion. Avoid being someone that knows everything. Also read Value of Friendship In Islam
[AdSense-B]
- Talk to Them Sincerely
A depressed person is hard to believe in others, so the best tips to help friend with depression in Islam is by showing your sincerity to them. Tell them that you understand how they feel and you know that they’re feeling down. Don’t pretend like nothing is wrong, but don’t act like you know everything.
- Be Empathetic to Them
You will never know how does it feel to be in a depression. So when they are in their worst state, don’t judge them for anything. Try to put yourself in their shoes and think, what would be the last thing you want if you’re them? As you already have a hard time yourself, you don’t need others to make it worse. Someone with depression is always sensitive all the time that even small things can cause a big harm to them. Also read Islamic Ways to Cure Depression
- Don’t Take It As a Joke
Maybe it’s easy for you to say, “Jus be happy,” or “Don’t be so sad,” with the hope that they will be inspired. But, no. They won’t be. Never think that their problems are simple and just by telling them around to be happy can make them feel better. Depression is not a joke. No need to show them how happy you are.
- Express Your Will to Help
Don’t hesitate to express your need for your depressed friend. It’s all they need and they will appreciating it much. Tell them that you want to help and you’ll always be there for them. Convince them that they’re not alone since you and Allah SWT always watching over them. Also read Surah for Mental Illness
[AdSense-C]
- Suggest Help from Professional
No matter how good you try to help them, you’re still not a professional. If you really want to help them, offer a professional help. Encourage them to go to counseling. If they don’t feel confident enough, accompany them for the first meeting and arrange some fun activities after that. Assure them that everything is gonna be okay.
- Sincerely Care for Them
You can help your depressed friend from the little things like remind and encourage them to sleep well, eat healthy, and do exercises. If they happen to be depended on alcohol, help them to decrease it as well as drug consumption. Both of them is not good for a depressed person. Also read How to Help a Depressed Person in Islam
- Be Patient with Them
When you say you want to help a friend with depression, one thing you should know is that you must have a big storage of patience. As a depressed patient can be unpredictable and slow in doing things, it can make you frustrated when dealing with them. Not only for them, it won’t be easy for you too.
- Contain Your Emotion
Being patient while with someone with depression means you have to contain all the negative feelings inside you. Never show that you’re angry, impatient, and having a hard time with them. Do as they wish. Go away when they ask you to, but be right there instantly when they call you.
So those are all good tips to help friend with depression in Islam. Remember that if things don’t go easy for you, they have it even harder. Be by their side while helping them to fight the depression.