Be a very careful, compassionate, patient listener
Learn the most you can about your friend or loved one's struggle with mental, emotional, or spiritual struggles, without feeling the need to respond quickly with answers or advice. This gives your friend or loved one permission and the opportunity to open up (possibly deep wounds) that simply need to be expressed, yet not immediately responded to or solved by the listener. Remember that clinical anxiety and depression are complex conditions with a host of factors involved, therefore simplistic answers are rarely helpful.
Learn the most you can about your friend or loved one's struggle with mental, emotional, or spiritual struggles, without feeling the need to respond quickly with answers or advice. This gives your friend or loved one permission and the opportunity to open up (possibly deep wounds) that simply need to be expressed, yet not immediately responded to or solved by the listener. Remember that clinical anxiety and depression are complex conditions with a host of factors involved, therefore simplistic answers are rarely helpful.
Be a strong advocate for your loved one or friend
Educate those around you about your loved one or friend's struggles, only with the expressed permission of your loved one or friend. For more information about the Complex Aspects of Depression and Anxiety, visit the "Defining Depression and Anxiety" page.
Educate those around you about your loved one or friend's struggles, only with the expressed permission of your loved one or friend. For more information about the Complex Aspects of Depression and Anxiety, visit the "Defining Depression and Anxiety" page.
Offer acceptance, even when you don’t understand someone's experience
In effect, you are giving permission for the person to open up and talk about his/her struggles. Many people battling depression or anxiety suffer in silence fearing the judgment of those around them. Be very careful to keep conversations confidential when a friend or loved one opens up to you regarding these issues.
In effect, you are giving permission for the person to open up and talk about his/her struggles. Many people battling depression or anxiety suffer in silence fearing the judgment of those around them. Be very careful to keep conversations confidential when a friend or loved one opens up to you regarding these issues.
Offer genuine friendship
Just as the Apostle Paul in the Bible was comforted by the coming of his friend Titus (2 Corinthians 7:6), reach out and offer comfort, support and encouragement to a struggling loved one or friend. Do not feel pressure to have an answer for them, simply accompany them in the moment, it will mean more to them than you will ever fully realize.
Just as the Apostle Paul in the Bible was comforted by the coming of his friend Titus (2 Corinthians 7:6), reach out and offer comfort, support and encouragement to a struggling loved one or friend. Do not feel pressure to have an answer for them, simply accompany them in the moment, it will mean more to them than you will ever fully realize.
Pray for and encourage your loved one or friend
Ask the Lord to comfort and strengthen their heart, and to help them accept the truth of His unconditional love for them as well as His nearness to them. Remind them that God cares about every detail of their lives, and that He hurts for them, and grieves with them. There is so much power in praying for a friend or loved one who is struggling with anxiety, depression, or simply the heavy issues of life.
Ask the Lord to comfort and strengthen their heart, and to help them accept the truth of His unconditional love for them as well as His nearness to them. Remind them that God cares about every detail of their lives, and that He hurts for them, and grieves with them. There is so much power in praying for a friend or loved one who is struggling with anxiety, depression, or simply the heavy issues of life.
Do leave the “doctoring to the doctors”
Be supportive of someone pursuing professional counseling, medical care, and/or psychiatric care, as mentioned previously anxiety and depression are complex conditions with a host of contributing factors, which may require a "Holistic Treatment" treatment approach. Anxiety and Depression are "Holistic" with respect to our body and soul – mental, emotional, physical, biological, psychological, physiological, relational, situational, and spiritual. Consequently, these conditions or illnesses should be treated Holistically as such. Each individual's journey through anxiety and depression is unique, therefore, may require treatment across various areas of the treatment spectrum, not singularly focused in on one particular area of the holistic makeup. For more information, visit the "Holistic Treatment" page.
Be supportive of someone pursuing professional counseling, medical care, and/or psychiatric care, as mentioned previously anxiety and depression are complex conditions with a host of contributing factors, which may require a "Holistic Treatment" treatment approach. Anxiety and Depression are "Holistic" with respect to our body and soul – mental, emotional, physical, biological, psychological, physiological, relational, situational, and spiritual. Consequently, these conditions or illnesses should be treated Holistically as such. Each individual's journey through anxiety and depression is unique, therefore, may require treatment across various areas of the treatment spectrum, not singularly focused in on one particular area of the holistic makeup. For more information, visit the "Holistic Treatment" page.
Make Yourself Available
Your friend or loved one will greatly benefit from your willingness to listen when they are both able and ready to share their journey. This provides them with a vital outlet to share their suffering experience. Also be willing to take them for an outing, even if it's just a ride in a car or to have lunch, but be mindful of their comfort level when planning an outing. Ask them what they would be comfortable doing. The goal is to help your friend or loved one to simply begin functioning again at any level.
Your friend or loved one will greatly benefit from your willingness to listen when they are both able and ready to share their journey. This provides them with a vital outlet to share their suffering experience. Also be willing to take them for an outing, even if it's just a ride in a car or to have lunch, but be mindful of their comfort level when planning an outing. Ask them what they would be comfortable doing. The goal is to help your friend or loved one to simply begin functioning again at any level.
Help your friend or loved one identify "Triggers"
A "Trigger" is defined as something or someone that causes an individual to enter into a period of anxiety, panic, or depression. Identifying triggers can help a friend or loved one know situations/events/people that may contribute to their condition.
A "Trigger" is defined as something or someone that causes an individual to enter into a period of anxiety, panic, or depression. Identifying triggers can help a friend or loved one know situations/events/people that may contribute to their condition.
Help your friend or loved one re-discover hobbies
Activities he/she once enjoyed in life that will help them to become functional and active again. However, remember that it's important to be sensitive to the individual's level of energy and comfort with the duration of the activities. Daily small and simple steps lead to greater steps in the future.
Activities he/she once enjoyed in life that will help them to become functional and active again. However, remember that it's important to be sensitive to the individual's level of energy and comfort with the duration of the activities. Daily small and simple steps lead to greater steps in the future.
Direct your friend or loved one to the Have Hope Devotional Blog page
There he/she will find encouragement through daily Messages of Hope, Prayers to Connect Faith & Life, as well as inspirational photos for the journey.
There he/she will find encouragement through daily Messages of Hope, Prayers to Connect Faith & Life, as well as inspirational photos for the journey.
Encourage them to visit the "Big Questions" Menu
They will find valuable answers to some of life's greatest questions such as "Why Do We Suffer?", "Who God Says You Are?," "Who Is God?," "Know Jesus?," "Is This World Broken?"
They will find valuable answers to some of life's greatest questions such as "Why Do We Suffer?", "Who God Says You Are?," "Who Is God?," "Know Jesus?," "Is This World Broken?"
Direct them to and Walk with them through some of the "Practical" and "Inspirational" Resources
Visit the "Devotional & Help Resources" page where you can both preview and purchase Inspiring Devotional & Help Resources to encourage your loved one or friend along their Journey Toward Hope
Visit the "Second Mile" page for suggestions of "Second Mile Service Opportunities"
Find suggestions for helping, encouraging, and caring for your friend or loved one who is struggling with anxiety, depression, or simply the Heaviness of life.
Find suggestions for helping, encouraging, and caring for your friend or loved one who is struggling with anxiety, depression, or simply the Heaviness of life.
Watch the "Mourning Booth"
This video provides valuable insights into how you can help a friend or loved one, especially in some of the most difficult times or seasons of their journey.
This video provides valuable insights into how you can help a friend or loved one, especially in some of the most difficult times or seasons of their journey.
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"Mourning Booth"
by: The Skit Guys |
It's ok to hurt and to mourn, and to "not have the answers"...sometimes just the close fellowship of others is what is needed....we are not called to have all the answers...but instead, simply to be pilgrims together along the journey. Be willing to experience the moment with someone who is walking through a season of suffering.
Jesus said...
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4 |
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