what you can do
- Get out in public, even if it’s just to go down to the shops.
- Meet up with friends and neighbours for a cup of tea or to do something small together. Just chatting over the fence can help.
- Go to family occasions.
- Keep the visits short if that makes it easier. You don’t have to talk about the way you are feeling.
- Decide what you’re going to do and write down when you’ll do it. Having a plan to go out makes it easier to ignore those negative feelings that stop you going at the last minute.
what others can do
It's important to understand that depression can prevent people from wanting to socialise, so keep inviting them to social engagements and gently encourage them to attend.
You can make a big difference – simply being there is a huge help and if they want to talk about the way they are feeling, the best thing you can do is just listen.
You can make a big difference – simply being there is a huge help and if they want to talk about the way they are feeling, the best thing you can do is just listen.
