Depression can have devastating effects on those who suffer from it and their loved ones. It is easy to feel discouraged by not knowing what to say or do to provide them with the right support. To make matters more complicated, each person experiences depression differently, making it all the more challenging to identify the best past forward. If your spouse or partner is suffering from depression, the symptoms can have a strained impact on your relationship. However, your support is vital to helping your spouse as they work to overcome their mental health struggles. Keep reading to learn what you can do to help.
7 Ways to Support a Spouse With Depression
1. Leave Judgment at the Door
When it comes to dealing with the hard truths of depression, simply listening to your spouse without judgment and encouraging them to freely express their thoughts and feelings can make a world of difference. Don’t just assume you can intimately understand their experience–empathy, patience, and understanding can go a long way when it comes to helping your loved one cope with the daily demands of living with depression. Offer genuine words of encouragement to let them know that you care about them and their well-being.
2. Educate Yourself
Depression is a mental health disorder, and it cannot be cured or treated by an attitude change or positive thinking. By exploring and learning about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options, you can help provide your loved one with the kind of spousal support they need.
Moreover, mental health illnesses like depression can present with a variety of nuances. The more research you do on the topic, the better you’ll be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of your spouse’s new or worsening depression.
3. Create a Supportive Home Space
Living with a mental health disorder can create many unique challenges in life. For example, it is common for depression to have a negative impact on things like cleaning or personal hygiene rituals. Despite this, having a supportive home space can benefit your loved one’s mental health. Taking on a few extra chores or making a consistent effort to maintain your home can free up room on your spouse’s plate and offer them a welcoming and safe environment to process and work through their depression.
4. Promote Self-Care
As mentioned above, the realities of depression can make it challenging to take care of oneself, but quality self-care is essential for improving overall mental and physical health. Try to find ways to get your loved one to remember and engage in activities that they enjoy. Low-impact activities like going for a walk, cooking a healthy meal together, or journaling may gently nudge your spouse to get reacquainted with their self-care routines.
Seeking treatment for your spouse’s depression is also a form of self-care. Remind your spouse that finding help for their mental health is a strength, not a weakness. If your spouse is skeptical of taking the first steps toward depression recovery, you can offer to help them find a therapist or attend an appointment with them to make the process more comfortable.
5. Focus on the Small Wins
Depression can change how your loved one shows up in their own life. Challenges that were once taken in stride can now seem insurmountable or meaningless. Simple activities, like getting out of bed, taking a shower, or going for a walk, can all be difficult for a spouse coping with depression. You can support your partner by helping them stay focused on the small wins they achieve throughout the day instead of drawing attention to things they’re struggling with. These bite-sized achievements can encourage your partner to focus on what they are capable of and help them shift their mindset in a more positive direction. Remind your spouse that every step forward, no matter how seemingly insignificant or small, is a step in the right direction.
6. Practice Active Listening
Healthy communication is the foundation of any successful partnership. Engaging in active listening with your spouse can strengthen your bond and enables you to provide effective support when they are struggling. Being an active listener to your spouse means being fully present when they are sharing with you and responding in a way that shows you have heard and understood what they have to say. Express your empathy towards their feelings and acknowledge their thoughts with respect and authenticity.
Remember, it can be a daunting challenge to open up about one’s battle with depression, so it’s important to allow your spouse to set the space and avoid rushing them.
7. Nurture Your Own Mental Health
Caring for someone with depression can be emotionally and mentally depleting. It is crucial to prioritize taking care of yourself while helping a loved one with depression. This will not only enable you to be a better partner, but it will also help you develop healthier coping mechanisms. Schedule time for yourself to engage in self-care activities and seek support from friends, family members, or a mental health professional as need be.
Depression is a serious and often overwhelming illness that requires thoughtful support and compassionate understanding. It takes time and effort to overcome the symptoms of depression, and being there to support your spouse in the tough moments can have a profound impact on their well-being. Together, you can face and overcome the trials of depression and lead a happier, healthier life.
At The Walker Center, we offer a number of mental health services and support options for those in need of a helping hand. Give us a call today.
For immediate mental health assistance in the U.S., the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7. Dial 1-800-273-TALK. In Idaho, Dial 988 to get the help and support you need. It’s free. Call 911 if you or your loved one are experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
