Think my friend has clinical depression - what can I do to help?

[zippy539]

Okay - it's late so will try to be brief.

I'm very worried about a good friend. She split with her long term partner five years ago - never really got over it. Things made worse by everyone we know having kids/settling down etc.

After the split she went through a stage of self-harm which was (to me) completely shocking as she'd always seemed to be on an even keel. (sorry - I don't mean any offence to anyone - a bit out of my depth on this topic).

She's been up and down ever since (I suspect 'self medicating' with huge doses of exercise) and aside from some short lived counselling has had very little professional help.

Yesterday we met up for a night out and after a few drinks she admitted that she has frequent suicidal thoughts and can't see the point of going on.

What should I do. Really want to help but am at a loss.

Tell her she needs to go to her GP and offer to go with her. Suicidal thoughts are a clear sign that she needs some help, be it medication or more counselling.

You must be a good friend as she really trusts you opening up like this. Encourage her to keep talking to you wenever she wants to (I you are in a place where you can cope with this).

Just be there and don't be afraid to take the initiative for contact as she may find that hard to do herself.

Thanks so much willsurvive. I feel completely out of my depth so I really appreciate your advice. I'm not sure whether I'm over reacting or not (called her this AM and she was laughing about it all, saying she was fine). But I really think she's NOT fine. It's like she's been wading through mud for the last few years and I've been too busy to see it.

Thanks again.

Go with her to the GP and get some professional help for her.