How can I help this person? ?

Question

A friend of mine, is undergoing some severe relationship trouble do to high tension pending a job (her partner/husband went through some stormy time at work). Due to this amount of tension, she physically hurt herself, during the fight. Now she cries a lot, is kind of depressed, and is desperate, I don't know if she's hurting herself or thinking of suicidal. I don't know how to diagnose and then help her? She won't go to a physcologist. Help!

Answer 1

Helping a friend, partner, or relative with depression is much like helping someone who has recently had surgery. Acceptance and assistance in both situations are foundations to recovery. However, failure to secure professional treatment for serious (clinical) depression can sometimes lead to suicide.

Okay. Here are some tips you can do to help her.

1. Listen. If the person wants to talk, actively listen without judging or giving advice.

2. Ask. Ask them if there is anything you can do to help.

3. Act. Ask the person if they are thinking about suicide or hurting themselves. If they say they are,look for help immediatly.

4.Encourage. Help the person find professional help. Encourage the person to start with a family doctor or local mental health associations. Offer to help them find resources or counselling services.

5.Remember that having a mental illness still carries a stigma in our society. So, before you discuss the depressed person's condition with a third party, ask their permission to do so.



But, for my general advice. Encourage her to go to a councilor. Being suicidal means that the person is already in the higest stage of anxiety.

Answer 2

I recommend taking immediate action. If you were to wait, and then she did end up committing suicide, you may never forgive yourself. You should immediately contact one of her family members (perhaps a parent or sibling) who can talk to her. Also, you should find a local "suicide hot line" which is staffed by experts who can guide you in what to do, and get help for your friend. One thing you do not want to do is take matters into your own hands. You do not have to "diagnose" your friend to help her, leave the diagnosis to the professionals. Self mutilation (hurting herself) is also a very serious problem, and may be a sign of suicidal tendencies. I would also recommend speaking to her husband about this situation, as he sounds like a major factor in her life right now.

Answer 3

Honestly, I know it sucks. But a person can't truly be helped or saved until they want to be.