Get Well Soon Gift for Depression

[Tweedledee3Tweedledum]

My DS is currently suffering from depression. I am trying to acknowledge mental ill health in a similar way I would physical ill health.

I have sent a get well soon card, but would also like to send a gift. Does anyone have any suggestions for what could be the right type of item, apart from standard flowers (which I do also plan on sending)?

Whilst I am aware my support is not about providing gifts, and that any gift is not going to change the current situation, I do want to try and give her something that may momentarily provide some relief. If any.

All great suggestions above, and I love the links SwearyGodmother put up, I have bookmarked both

When I was off work with depression I didn't hear from anyone at work and it still bothers me now.

Gifts sound lovely but the thing I think is most important is keeping in touch, like a pp suggested, by message as I was stressed every time my phone rang, even friends and family. Also mentioning you don't expect a reply, just you are thinking of them. They are what would have helped me

zafod you're not contributing anything to this thread. You know nothing about OPs sister. You're extremely ignorant. ADs save lives.

OP I'm sure your sister will appreciate whatever you send, judging by the thought you're putting into it

mybrain I had six months off last year and had nothing from anyone except my manager doing the compulsory keeping in touch. And yes it bothers me.

You never hear people tell diabetics 'you shouldn't take that insulin, it's not a cure you know. Go for a walk instead!'

I have found all these suggestions so helpful; thank you.

I have decided to go ahead and send a little something every week, rather than a more expensive one off item.

Tomorrow is going to be some magazine she likes (she is reading books at the moment, so I hope she will be able to get some enjoyment from these too). Next week is some herbal tea she likes. The following week will be some hand-cream, then face wipes, chocolates, childhood photographs, nice card, cakes and so on...

I'm genuinely thankful for those that have shared their experiences and/or gave some suggestions.

Untilthecowscomehome, I hope you are in a better place now. If not, please consider going to another doctor and telling them. I know that is so much easier said that done. I'm sad that this happened to you.

Zafodbeeblbrox10
They don't cure anything? Really? I'm delighted to hear how much you clearly don't know about depression and how antidepressants work.
GPs are sponsored too? We're hitting big-pharma conspiracy jackpot here.
Antidepressants save lives, GPs save lives, and both have improved my quality of life.

Tweedledee3Tweedledum it's really cool to hear about someone not running from someone else's mental health, and just being an excellent person (sorry if that's condescending, I don't mean to be!)

Agree Get Well Soon can be accurate. I always have depression but on those ADs that certain idiots are so against I can function and go to work and volunteer and get on with my life. When I'm ill with it like I was last year, I can't do those things. "Get well soon" isn't perhaps the best thing to say as it can be taken the wrong way, but it can be useful to be reminded that you won't feel this awful forever, "this too shall pass".

Get Well Soon might come across to a depressive mind as Hurry Up and Snap Out of it! But It Will Pass, Give it Time, might be very supportive.

And there is nothing wrong with ADs. I've been on them almost all of my adult life. They give me a chance to function properly. Without them I'd be weeping in a corner for absolutley no reason other than that my brain chemicals are screwed, just as a diabetic's insulin levels are screwed. With them, I'm myself - very happy and enthusiastic about life. If she has to stay on them long term, there's no shame at all. It's an illness not a personality fault!

That sounds like a lovely idea, OP, and you sound like a really lovely and kind person.

I hope your sister gets all the help she needs and starts to feel better soon.

That sounds great, the item doesn't matter as much as it being a regular reminder that you care

I wouldn't send every Monday or whenever though, try to vary it so that it's still a surprise so that she won't be upset or disappointed if something gets delayed in the post or when you slow down or stop the deliveries. So I would say maybe Monday, then the following Thursday, then leave it a week and then Monday etc, so it's about every 10 days but doesn't get into a regular "oh it's Tuesday, I wonder if there will be something in the post"