Ways to Observe Depression Awareness Month

Reach out

Reaching out to loved ones, friends, or others living with depression could make a big difference in their life. Some ways a person can reach out to others include but are not limited to the following:

• Offer help with finding therapy or support groups.

• Offer help with daily tasks.

• Start a conversation about how they are feeling and express support.

• Keep asking them to come along or join an activity even if the likelihood of them joining is low.

• Keep in touch with them.

• Remember to just spend time with them, have fun, and not always focus on depression.

  
  

Though a person can take many steps to reach out to friends and family, there are some things they should attempt to avoid. These can include:

• taking things personally

• giving advice

• minimizing or comparing experiences

• attempting to fix them

• expressing a strong opinion on medication

  
  

Share your story

People living with depression, those living with people with depression, survivors of victims of suicide, and others can get involved by sharing their stories. This may be done at events, through organizations’ websites, or on social media.

Throughout the year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) welcomes people to share their stories through their site. Through their website, a person can:

• Submit a story to them directly to share on their website or blog.

• Apply to share a personal story at a presentation.

• Apply to share a personal story with law enforcement.

  
  

Around October, organizations like NAMI will share social media hashtags and groups for you to join. They also offer a platform for people to share their stories. You can sign up to follow NAMI’s Facebook page here for updates on upcoming events, donating opportunities, and to stay informed.

Get educated

Learning more about depression will help remove the stigma surrounding the condition, its causes and effects, and treatments. Having general health knowledge is likely not enough to fully understand depression.

You should consider learning more about what depression is, its symptoms, how it presents, its types, causes, and treatment options and effectiveness.