How can I help a loved one that is depressed?

Question

I feel helpless when it comes to assisting a neighbor of mine to socialize and even to walk outdside,or to eat dinner, or answer her phone.She is a wonderful and haunted woman who has had a life of sorrow and regrets, including health problems and the untimely loss of a child and husband.Her twin sister committed suicide and I am afraid that she could hurt herself, as well. She just shuts out the whole world and just sleeps in the darkness of her house, she won't leave to even buy herself toiletpaper or buy food for her cat. I need to know what, if anything, I may be able to do to get some professional assistance to her. I know that she would never go on her own, and this makes me feel even more helpless from protecting her from herself. She is 65 years old with a grandchild on the way next month. Help?

Answer 1

You sound like a Very Nice neighbor! http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2002/9/1/article_02.htm

There is a Wonderful brochure that you could share with her --perhaps even reading a portion or more to her-- if she won't
read it herself. That way it might open opportunities for a discussion, even if only one-sided (yours) at first! It is available in print, and audio (you might also ask her to listen to it with you), but you can also check it out online, at: http://watchtower.org/e/we/index.htm :

When Someone You Love Dies :
- "It Can't Be True!"
- Is It Normal to Feel This Way?
- How Can I Live With My Grief?
> How Can Others Help?
- A Sure Hope for the Dead
- Miscarriage and Stillbirth--Mothers Grieve
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome--Facing the Grief
- Some Practical Suggestions
- Helping Children Deal With Death
- Texts That Comfort
http://watchtower.org/e/we/index.htm

It truly covers a Lot of ground, some of which might not fit her needs ... but a lot of which does!

Then there are also:

Is There a Remedy for Death? :
- Death--A Dreadful Reality!
- The Only Remedy--Resurrection
- - What Is Meant by “Resurrection”?
- - Who Will Be Resurrected?
- - Resurrection to Life in Heaven--For Whom?
- - Who Will Be Resurrected to Life on Earth?
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20060315/article_01.htm

“The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth”---How?
- God's Eternal Purpose for the Earth Hasn't Changed
- How to Share in the Promised Inheritance http://www.watchtower.org/e/20041001/article_02.htm

The Marvelous New World of God's Making
- Righteousness Replaces Wickedness
- Perfect Health Restored!
> The Dead Return!
- A Truly Peaceful World
- Earth Transformed Into a Paradise
> UNdoing the Past Damage Done! http://www.watchtower.org/library/dg/article_10.htm

You mention other issues she probably has:

Life IS Worth Living! :
- A Worldwide Problem
- Why People Give Up on Life
- You CAN Find Help!
> How Can You Help Someone Who Seems Suicidal?
> "Will God Forgive Me for Feeling This Way?"
- Have You Lost a Loved One to Suicide?
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2001/10/22/article_01.htm

What Is Your Life Worth?
- How Precious Your Life Is!
http://watchtower.org/e/20050201/article_01.htm

A Cry for Help
- Soon--A World Without Despair!
http://watchtower.org/e/20000915/article_01.htm

Suicide--Who Are Most at Risk? :
- Suicide--The Hidden Epidemic
> Given a Desire to Live
- A Sure Hope
>Risk Factors and Warning Signs
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2000/2/22/article_01.htm

Bringing Phobias Under Control
- Tormented by Phobias
- When All Eyes Seem to Be Upon You
- Controlling Social Phobia
- Watch Your Breathing!
- When Fear Leads to Panic
http://watchtower.org/library/g/1998/7/22/article_01.htm

When Someone You Love Has a Mental Disorder
> Recognize symptoms.
- Become informed.
- Pursue treatment.
- Encourage the sufferer to seek help.
> Avoid placing blame.
- Have realistic expectations.
- Stay Connected.
- Consider the needs of other family members.
- Promote good health practices.
- Take care of yourself.
> Some Warning Signs of Mental Disorders
http://watchtower.org/library/g/2004/9/8/article_01.htm

Hope--Where Can You Find It? :
- Does Hope Really Make a Difference?
- Why Do We Need Hope?
- You Can Fight Pessimism
- Where You Can Find REAL Hope http://watchtower.org/e/20040422/article_01.htm

Why Should I Get to Know My Grandparents?
http://watchtower.org/library/g/2001/4/22a/article_01.htm
This one explains how important & helpful grandparents can be to their grandchildren.

Alone but Not Lonely :
- Why So Many Lonely People?
- When No One Will Ever Feel Lonely Again
- What You Can Do About Loneliness
http://watchtower.org/e/20040608/article_01.htm

'God, Why Did You Allow This?'
- Comfort for Those Who Suffer
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20030101/article_01.htm

Any or all of these can be printed out along with their source & copyright intact.

Advanced On-site Search
(In case a link becomes modified, this is 'handy'.) http://watchtower.org/search/search_e.htm

Answer 2

I can tell that you are genuinely worried for your neighbor. I felt like this about my brother.

I went and spoke to a counselor to get tips on how to be a positive influence in his life. I am not a certified therapist, and neither are you, and even if you were, there is only so much you can do.

If you feel compelled to, I suggest talking with a counselor about your concerns.
I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 3

any sort of depression can be tide over by faith in GOD and sincere prayer.

Your prayer is from your heart. Further You must have to understood the fact that God is present in our heart. This can be realised in meditation. Further we are the creation of our own destiny. As per Hindu sacred religion, we carry all good and bad deeds life after life. There is no end unless we pray for unification of self with the divineliness.
Hence there is always a possible way to complete mergence with God in this life by a simple and wonderful meditation

Answer 4

Wow i feel really sorry for her. I wish I knew what you could do but I don't. I just hope everything works out well and I wish you the best of luck with your attempts. I think your an awesome person for trying to help, most people would just mind their own business.

Answer 5

talk to her and suggest you make a garage sale and see if you can find something for the grandchild she probably wont be interested but encourage her,she has gotten in a rut and feels satisfied with her life start a study with her about the bible see if you can challenge her about some scripture take some sandwichs pops and keep her mind interested if she gets involved in the bible it will help her..........good luck

Answer 6

I would call a crisis line and see if they can give you a tip. Depression is a painful dangerous thing and she definitely needs help. Ask her about her medical insurance if it is a good one her doctor's office can tell you what you can do too.

Answer 7

You could get a psychologist to visit her and try to encourage her. If the situation is very desperate, you could bring her a mental hospital.

Answer 8

Try contacting her blood relatives for help. That's quite impressive that you can show genuine love towards your neighbor.

Answer 9

there are sum free help-lines to ring?

have to find one of those

on the net? or phone book maybe? or by word?

hope it helps =]

Answer 10

be with that person, make him/her feel special, make them feem loved.