Apr 2017
You have spoken
Too many times
Only to shut them up
Each time, a little more
"It's your fault"
"Grow up, get stronger"
"Cut the drama"
"You attention-seeker"
Do you think, you're helping?
"I'm saying this, because I care"
One can see that you do, oh just how much you do
"Oh c'mon, it can't be all that bad!"
"I got out of it, so can you"
"You're NOT depressed, just sad"
"You're in depression"
"You need help"
"Go to a counselor"
"Get yourself checked"
"Learn to control your mind"
"Hush, don't talk about it. People will judge you."
"Sorry, you cannot get the job. Why don't you come back once you're in a better state?"
Help isn't help when the intention shows through
Which is clearly not to help
If you really care
If you're really human enough
Here's how to help
EMPOWER
Be humble
Reach out, but subtly
Do not victimize
Or tag a victim
Just be a friend
You'll help, their misery will end
Maybe not immediately
Hopefully, eventually
"You good?"
"I'm here if you need me"
"You're beautiful"
"I just want you to know, I care about you"
"Thank you"
"Sorry"
"I respect you"
"You'll find your way back, I have faith in you"
"You can do this, deep down, you know it too"
"You're awesome"
Smile
Laugh
Treat them like they're normal
Because they are
Just be sensitive...at least a bit
Because they're hurting
But fine, they'll be fine
They'll be more
You'll see
And smile when you do!
Too many times
Only to shut them up
Each time, a little more
"It's your fault"
"Grow up, get stronger"
"Cut the drama"
"You attention-seeker"
Do you think, you're helping?
"I'm saying this, because I care"
One can see that you do, oh just how much you do
"Oh c'mon, it can't be all that bad!"
"I got out of it, so can you"
"You're NOT depressed, just sad"
"You're in depression"
"You need help"
"Go to a counselor"
"Get yourself checked"
"Learn to control your mind"
"Hush, don't talk about it. People will judge you."
"Sorry, you cannot get the job. Why don't you come back once you're in a better state?"
Help isn't help when the intention shows through
Which is clearly not to help
If you really care
If you're really human enough
Here's how to help
EMPOWER
Be humble
Reach out, but subtly
Do not victimize
Or tag a victim
Just be a friend
You'll help, their misery will end
Maybe not immediately
Hopefully, eventually
"You good?"
"I'm here if you need me"
"You're beautiful"
"I just want you to know, I care about you"
"Thank you"
"Sorry"
"I respect you"
"You'll find your way back, I have faith in you"
"You can do this, deep down, you know it too"
"You're awesome"
Smile
Laugh
Treat them like they're normal
Because they are
Just be sensitive...at least a bit
Because they're hurting
But fine, they'll be fine
They'll be more
You'll see
And smile when you do!
Depression is a topic close to my heart. A lot of people have been hit by it, some fought and are out, some still struggling. Some, unfortunately, succumbed. It isn't easy. The toughest thing is that people don't know how to interact with those who are battling. Everywhere, the victim is lectured, while the lecturer is often no different from the victimizer.
Here's an article I wrote about how not to talk to someone who's going through depression, out of my own research, interacting closely with victims and helping some out of it, and also out of having been a victim myself, in the past - http://www.filtercopy.com/posts/9-things-you-never-say-to-a-person-battling-depression
Here's an article I wrote about how not to talk to someone who's going through depression, out of my own research, interacting closely with victims and helping some out of it, and also out of having been a victim myself, in the past - http://www.filtercopy.com/posts/9-things-you-never-say-to-a-person-battling-depression
