Depression is really hard to deal with at times. It makes people isolate themselves from friends and family and neglect their responsibilities. It can also be hard to have someone you care about deal with depression. It may seem like there is nothing you can do to help because you’re not a therapist, but there is actually a lot you can do to help your loved one pull through a depressive episode.

1. Watch for symptoms of depression.

Before you can help your friend, you need to know when they are experiencing a depressive episode. Keep an eye out for signs that your friend is getting depressed. This might mean isolating themselves, not eating or overeating, sleeping excessively, etc. When you notice your friend exhibiting these symptoms, you’ll know when to act.

2. Plan some low-key hangouts.

It’s important for people who are experiencing depression to be around people. However, trying to get them to go out or do something with big crowds might be too much for them. Try just getting them to watch some movies or play video games with you. That way they don’t have to leave the house or even put on pants. Not only does this make it able for you to keep them from potentially harming themselves, but it can also help them come out of their depression a little quicker.

3. Make them keep up with their responsibilities.

It can be really hard to do everything that needs to be done when you can barely get out of bed. But it’s also important not to fall behind on cleaning, homework or your job. As a friend, you can help keep them on top of what needs to be done either by going with them to do. This could mean making them do anything from brushing their teeth to finishing their homework.

4. Listen to them.

Your friend may not feel like anyone cares about them or has the time to listen to their problems. Make sure they know you are there for them. Ask them how they feel and what they’ve been up to and make sure they feel heard. This shows that there is someone who genuinely cares about them and wants to make sure they’re okay. It’s also important to remind them that they are not alone.

5. Know when to get help.

Sometimes depression can get worse than what you can handle as their friend. While you can do a lot to help your friend, you also can’t stop depression from getting worse on its own. If you think your friend might harm themselves or others, tell someone. That someone could be their parents, therapist, or maybe a suicide helpline, or it could come to calling 9-1-1 or taking them to the emergency room to have them Baker Acted. This can be a tough call, but sometimes you need it to make sure your friend stays alive.

If you have a friend with depression, you can help make things easier for them. Sometimes just doing little things can go a long way.