Someone with a depressive illness is like anyone with an illness - they require our care.
The Mental Health First Aid Guidelines contain information about how a member of the community can give initial help to someone who they think might be developing or experiencing a mental illness or a mental health crisis. Nine different guidelines are now available and include information on early intervention in the disorders of depression, psychosis, eating disorders, problem drinking and problem drug use. In addition, four mental health crisis situations are also covered: suicidal thoughts and behaviours, non-suicidal self-injury, panic attacks and assisting (adult or child) after a traumatic event.
If you think a family member or close friend has depression or bipolar disorder, try talking to them about it in a supportive manner and either suggest that they consult their general practitioner or other mental health professional, or offer to take them to see one.
Sometimes a person suffering from a mood disorder may not want to seek help. In these circumstances, explain that you are concerned about them and why, and perhaps provide them with some information - such as a book, or some information from this website - that you think might be relevant (see our Reading List). There are many other organisations that provide helpful pamphlets and information. You could also offer to assist them to seek professional help. This might take the form of finding someone with whom the individual feels comfortable talking, making an appointment for them on their behalf, taking them to the appointment on the day, and, if appropriate, accompanying them during the assessment interview. This may be particularly appropriate if the person has a severe disorder such as psychotic depression or mania.
Depression in young people, particularly adolescents, should be taken seriously, as this age group is particularly vulnerable to mental disorders. If you think your son or daughter is showing signs of depression or mania, find time when you can talk to him or her about it (preferably in a stress-free setting) and suggest that it might help him or her to feel better by getting some help. Suggest that they visit the family general practitioner, a school counsellor, or, initially, a friend or relative with whom they feel comfortable.
There is a range of services (telephone counselling and websites) that are specifically designed for young people. See Helpful Links and Depression in teenagers and young adults.
Also see the Family Help Kit put out by NSW Health - a publication designed to help families better understand and recognise mental health problems in young people and adolescents and to provide information about where to get help.
An important part of caring is to help the treatment process:
Don't forget that as a carer you too are likely to be under stress. Depression and hopelessness have a way of affecting the people around them. Therapy can release difficult thoughts and emotions in carers too. So part of caring is to care for your own self - preventing physical run-down and dealing with the thoughts and emotions within yourself.
Between March and August 2008, many visitors to the Black Dog website participated in this research for the book BACK FROM THE BRINK TOO. The findings have been compiled into a report which also contains a comprehensive listing of helplines, organisations, websites, support groups, and books for carers. It can be downloaded for free from www.IamBackFromTheBrink.com
Page last updated: 13-Jan-2010
Depression and Bipolar Disorder Information Australia - Black Dog Institute.
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