How to Help a Depressed Person Long-Distance

A support network is vital to helping a person who is depressed feel better. A constant friend and listening ear are key elements in any support network. Be available to listen and provide encouragement when the person needs to talk. Your assistance is invaluable, even if you live hundreds of miles away.

Instructions

• 1

  Use video conference. Skype and Windows Live Messenger and other instant messaging services offer free video chat. Set aside enough time for a meaningful conversation.

• 2

  Demonstrate good listening habits during your conversation. Showing the person visually that you are listening can encourage more open discussion. Lean in to the camera some, and keep your eyes on the camera as much as possible. Sit still, and provide only the occasional "Mhmmm," or "I see" as your part of the conversation. Do not interrupt while the person is talking. Keep your mind off of what you want to say next and focused on what is being said to you. Do not offer advice or say what you would do in the person's situation. Don't judge, just listen.

• 3

  Restate what the person has said to you. Say, "What I hear you saying is. . ." to demonstrate that you are, indeed, listening. Listening shows you care about the depressed individual. High-quality relationships are vital to alleviating depression. Though you are far away, your willingness to be available and listen play important roles in helping a person recover from depression.

• 4

  Contact the person occasionally to see how he is doing. The repeated check-ins demonstrate your care and concern for the person.

• 5

  Send a care package in the mail of things you know will make the person happy, such as pictures or a good book or movie. Avoid sending comfort foods high in carbohydrates or refined sugar as these negatively affect blood sugar and moods.

• 6

  Start a long-distance exercise partnership with the person. Exercise increases hormones in our brains that make us feel good. Create a goal that you can both reach together, such as walking so many miles in a month or exercising or stretching (which leads to better sleep and moods) so many minutes each week. Keep track of your progress by creating a spreadsheet on an online file-sharing site like GoogleDocs. You can both fill in your individual contributions to reaching the goal yourselves.