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There are many lists online to help us all prevent lodging our feet in our mouths - here are some:
From Trapped Minds
From alt.depression
From DBT Self Help
Variations on "Think of the starving children in Africa!" appeared in the
metaquotes thread. Sometimes people do need a shot of perspective - but that won't work on a mentally ill person, it will only make us feel worse. Also, it's important not to compare your own experiences of sadness or crisis with depression, which is a whoooole other ball game.
All of that said - dealing with depression, or mental illness of any kind, can be terribly difficult and frustrating. The people around me have often displayed the patience of saints. I think the single most important thing you can do for someone you think may have depression is to get them to a professional. You can do a huge amount to support a mentally ill person, but you almost certainly can't make them better.
From Trapped Minds
From alt.depression
From DBT Self Help
Variations on "Think of the starving children in Africa!" appeared in the
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All of that said - dealing with depression, or mental illness of any kind, can be terribly difficult and frustrating. The people around me have often displayed the patience of saints. I think the single most important thing you can do for someone you think may have depression is to get them to a professional. You can do a huge amount to support a mentally ill person, but you almost certainly can't make them better.