Getting support: Establishing a partnership
Learning about depression together
As you talk honestly with your Support Partner(s) about your feelings, you may encounter misunderstandings or stereotypes. It is important for everyone involved to remember that depression is an illness of the mind and body - it is not the same as "feeling blue" and it is not something you can simply wish away. There are many ways for you and your Support Partner to learn about your illness. For more information, go to the Understanding Depression section of this website. You may also want to consider having your Support Partner attend an appointment with you and your healthcare professional. This will give your Partner a chance to get some useful advice on the best way to help you, or to discuss any fears or concerns.
How can your Support Partner help you?
Now that you have begun a conversation about your depression with your Support Partner, it is important to determine how he or she can best help you. Since you have already thought about what type of support you may need - practical and/or emotional - you should be able to be open and clear about your needs. Be very specific about the things you would like help with and the things you can do just fine on your own. This will be helpful for your Partner and will set clear boundaries for your future partnership. Here are some examples of emotional and practical support.
Emotional Support:
- Call every evening to check in
- Meet once a week
- Help me be aware of things that may make my depression worse
- Encourage me to stick with treatment
- Help recognize my progress
- Help set realistic short-term goals, if suggested by my therapist
- Encourage me to stay as active as possible
Practical Support:
- Make an appointment with a healthcare professional
- Pick children up from school or after-school activities
- Help with healthcare paperwork
- Cook dinner once a week
- Drive me to doctors appointments
- Run errands
- Arrange a time to walk or go to the gym together
- Make a date to go to the movies
Setting future goals
For a time, having a Support Partner to help you will likely be a great help and will allow you to focus on getting well. However, in the long term, you and your Partner should map out a plan that will help you slowly take over these tasks. Working toward and achieving each goal will help you on the road to recovery.