How do I help a depressed friend who lives far away?

Question

My friend who lives in another city emailed me yesterday to say that she is getting treated for her depression. I know that she has been going through a rough time - with health problems, relationship issues, stress, etc - but didn't realize that it has gotten so bad. I want to help her, but I don't really know how. Most online resources talk about inviting your friend to do something or helping her with day-to-day chores. But because we live in totally different cities, it's impossible for me to do those things. Does anyone have suggestions on what I can do to help her?

Thanks!

Answer 1

a simple phone call can work wonders...remain positive and upbeat

Answer 2

Send her a Hallmark cheerful greeting (I'm so glad we're friends, etc.) Keep in touch with her through e mail and phone conversations, and be a good listener.

Does she live too many miles away to be able to spend a weekend at one of your homes? That might be a great way to help her--if it can be arranged.

Encourage her, and tell her that you're glad she is being treated. Ask her how well the treatments are working, and remind her that most treatments take some time. Tell her that you are there for you, and that she can call you any time she wants to.

I hope that your friend is well on the road to recovery--she is lucky to have a friend like you--many people don't.

Answer 3

Ask her how you can help her. There's a very good chance she doesn't want your help.
I've been through depression a few times, and it's a clinical disease. It requires treatment by a physician. There is nothing anyone could have done for me during my bouts with depression htat would have helped. In fact, the more they tried, the more I saw through it as someone feeling sorry for me, and it mad me angry on top of depressed.

Best bet is to tell your friend that if there is anything you can do for her, you're there. And tell her flat out you want to help, but you don't want to crowd her or dominate the situation. Be supportive and keep space at the same time. Absolutely the only way you can help.

Answer 4

You should call her at least once a day and just talk about things that make you happy.. I had a friend going through this (bad divorce and gambling problem) and there was a group of us that took turns calling him and taking him out with us to games, clubs and parties. It was hard for him at first, but eventually, he came back into the fold. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Give a call a couple times a week just to talk. You have no idea how many times a simple phone call out of the blue, by someone who didn't even know what was going on, has saved my life.

Answer 6

1. Send her a nice greeting card with an upbeat theme.
2. When she e-mails you, send back an encouraging reply and don't ignore her. You might not be the only member of her support system but you might very well be an important link in that chain.

I hope this helps you and your friend.

Answer 7

I used to live in another city far from here. There, I'd gone to art school and dear and close friends. Where I happen to live now, I have perhaps 3-4 acquaintances, which I doubt will ever share with me the old type of camaraderie I was accustomed to.
It took quite a number of years to get out of a depressive mood - so intense at times, that I would come back from work, and get into bed in a fetal position.
Finally, when I thought I was ready to resort to drinking or over-eating, especially sweets, I found the courage to write to my friends from the city, where once we had shared good company and true friendship.
I now truly believe that TRUE friends prove themselves at those times of difficulty. For it is then, that through their promptness to help sincerely - because they care - they are there again for you.
I began to lift myself by my own boot straps, when I was delighted to find myself in contact again with my friends back home - for they responded by writing me letters, sharing reminiscences of good times, sharing photographs of themselves, their families, children and also photographs of the work they had continued to do.
Of course, calling each other, they, me, or I, to them, can become expensive, so we relied understandably in the written word to path or refill those holes in one's hearts, when we part from situation, once, so beloved!

Answer 8

Send her gifts to so she still rembers she is being loved some where and send her cards and try to talk to her every day so she doesn't do anything she regrets. She will never forget how you pulled her through all of her deppresion and she will always thank you so both of you are always happy

Answer 9

Just be there for her like youve probably already been. Be her shoulder to cry on...suggest some activities for her to do to get her mind off her problems. Just having u hear her probably helps tons. Youre a good friend already just caring about her.

Answer 10

listen carefuly to me and try to understand this...as a human u r created from two things,body from clay and a soul which give ur body the live,if u concentrate on feeding only the body ur soul will die soon,and also if u concentrate on feeding ur soul only ur body will die,do u understand?i hope so...as a conclusion concentrate now on the soul and make ur freind remember GOD and give him religious advices,and if ur freind is not religious so dont worry,when one of us become depressed beleive me we will never feel good again except if we remember GOD and follow his comandments with love and share this feeling with another good religious person,and the best way to do that is to read about ISLAM if u r not muslim,GOD be with u

Answer 11

make sure she's taking purified fish oil daily. calcium-magnesium is smart, also. high-quality multivitamins every day for a few months, too. yoga, t'ai chi, vigorous cardio, sunlight.