Our friends sometimes need our help and they don’t always come out and ask for it. This is something I know about very well, as a few years ago I noticed something was off when talking to a good friend of mine.
I could sense something was wrong and I gave them plenty of opportunities to talk and vent, but they kept everything inside and wouldn’t open up. I could have let it be, but I felt like something was very wrong.
This led to me digging a bit deeper and I realized there was a serious situation. They had quit their job, wouldn’t leave the house and let their physical appearance go to crap. It was depression. I was certain. I refused to just sit back and watch them continue down the black hole so I decided to do something. This is what I did.
Took Action Right Away
Once I noticed there was a problem I sprung into action. I knew that every day that passed was a chance for something potentially bad to happen. I did not want to be on the receiving end of that phone call. It was important to take action as quickly as possible.
I created a plan and mapped it all out. I knew what needed to be done and what I was going to do to make sure I helped my friend.
Did Not Leave Them Alone
I knew that solitude would have a negative impact on them, so I made sure to keep them company. I took an initiative and got them out of the house as much as possible. From little things like going to grab a coffee and lunch to planning trips into the city to attend baseball games – I made sure to pre-occupy their time and mind.
If I just let them sit at home and constantly think about the things that were causing the depression it would have been bad. It’s important to keep their mind off the subject.
Helped Them Find Professional Help
While me being involved and taking initiative I knew I was not an expert. My friend needed help from a doctor and I knew that the sooner I could connect him with someone the better off they would be.
We searched for a local option using the website Clarity Clinic. It was a local option and the reviews and feedback I was able to track down looked promising. We were soon scheduled to meet with a local professional that ended up helping in a major way. It was one of the most important steps of this process.
Followed Up Constantly
Once I knew my friend was seeing the professional on a regular basis I made it a point to check up on them even more. I wanted them to know that I cared but also I think talking about it openly made them feel like there was nothing wrong with what they were doing.
This is someone that would have not sought out help on their own for fear of people judging them. Sad, but that is how it is with many people. By staying involved it made them feel like the entire process was normal.
Involved Family and Friends
Once we got the ball rolling on the treatment and recovery, I made sure to keep all family and friends in the loop. When they saw how many people truly cared it helped.
They knew they were not alone and that a large group of people were pulling for them. The ending is a happy one but sadly not all stories like this end this way. If you think someone needs help try to help them. You may just save their life.