As someone who struggles with depression, as well as having friends who do, I put together these helpful 5 tips to use if one of your besties is struggling too…

1. You won’t understand, but try your best – You won’t fully understand what they’re going through unless you’ve gone through it yourself. It doesn’t make much sense to the average Joe, but the emotions, thoughts, fears, and feelings that one experiences when under the cloud of depression are so intense and crippling that it effects nearly every aspect of one’s life.

2. Be on call & check in – For me personally, having those key people I can reach out to anytime gives me such a feeling of peace. But oftentimes, the depress-ee feels like a burden to others, even their closest friends, so take the initiative to provide daily check-ins and drop-by’s.

3. Pray for them & their healing – If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. -John 14:14 Prayer is the most powerful weapon we can use to fight the battles of this world – including the battles that our loved ones are facing.

4. Avoid asking “What’s wrong?” – Oftentimes our go-to response when someone is sad, upset, or crying is to ask “why,” but in the case of depression, the depress-ee often doesn’t know why they’re feeling those intense feelings of sadness. Simply, listen if they’re willing to share, but more importantly just be present with them.

5. Make them laugh – The old saying, “Laughter is the best medicine” definitely applies to this condition. Even a brief moment of comic relief can provide a bit of distraction from the ever-present gray cloud hanging above their head.

I hope you find these tips helpful and are able to use them within your friendships. As we continue to hold our friends in prayer, I know our God will hear our pleas and produce a beautiful rainbow out of the storm.

xo, Lex