October is Depression Awareness Month. Helping someone with depression involves providing emotional support, understanding, and practical assistance. Here are some effective ways to support someone who is experiencing depression:

Listen Without Judgment - One of the most important things you can do is to listen to the person without judgment or criticism. Allow them to express their feelings and thoughts freely. Show empathy and validate their emotions by acknowledging that their feelings are real and significant.

Encourage Professional Help - Ask the person to meet with a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist. Offer to help them find a mental health professional and if they are comfortable, accompany them to their appointments. Remind them that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Stay Connected - Maintain regular contact with the person through calls, texts, or visits. Isolation can worsen depression, so staying connected can provide a vital lifeline. Invite them to social activities, but be understanding if they decline or cancel plans.

Don’t Minimize Their Feelings - Avoid making dismissive or minimizing comments such as 'Just think positive' or 'You have so much to be grateful for.' Such statements can make the person feel misunderstood and invalidated. Instead, acknowledge their pain and offer your support.

This month serves as an opportunity to understand the symptoms, causes, and treatments of depression, reduce stigma, and encourage those affected to seek help. Raising awareness is essential for promoting empathy towards those living with depression, helping to create a more supportive environment. Depression is a serious but treatable condition. Early intervention and access to mental health resources are keys to treatment.

Many things can contribute to clinical depression.

For some people, several factors seem to be involved, while for others a single factor can cause the illness. Oftentimes, people become depressed for no apparent reason.

Here are some symptoms to watch for that may indicate you or someone you know might be suffering from depression: > Persistent sad, anxious, or 'empty' mood > Sleeping too much or too little; middle of the night or early morning waking > Weight fluctuations; reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain > Loss of pleasure and interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex > Restlessness, irritability > Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment (such as chronic pain or digestive disorders) > Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions > Fatigue or loss of energy > Feeling guilty, hopeless, or worthless > Thoughts of suicide or death A quick, easy, and confidential way to determine if you may be experiencing depression is to take a screening. A screening is not a diagnosis, but a way of understanding if your symptoms are having enough of an impact that you should seek help from a doctor or other professional.

Senior Life Solutions is a hospital-based outpatient program of Callaway District Hospital designed to meet the unique needs of older adults experiencing depression and/or anxiety related to life changes that are often associated with aging or a chronic diagnosis. Anyone can make a referral to our program including self-referrals, provider referrals, or community consultations.

For more information call Senior Life Solutions in Callaway at 308-836-2153.