My “Secret Subject” is:
One of your closest friends says to you that he or she feels like giving up. It isn't a suicidal expression, but you can see this friend is defeated and incapable of seeing anything positive. Forget for a minute what should or should not be said to a person with depression. From your heart to theirs, what would you say?
It was submitted by: http://climaxedtheblog.blogspot.com (Thanks for such a great and deep subject.)
Honestly, I would tell my friend not to give up. That problems come up and bad things happen, but it always gets better. Problems can be solved, and good times happen just as often as the bad. I would tell them if anyone knows this, it is me. I have been through a great deal in my life, and I have wanted to give up, but in the end it always gets better.
I would help them figure out what exactly is going on, and exactly how the feel. I would listen and help them sort through it all. I would do anything possible to help them. I would share with them the battles I have waged with hard times in my life. I would share with them the successes that followed the failures. I would share the lessons I have learned. I would try to help them find the silver linings.
I would connect them with the necessary people. People far better suited than I am to help them. Then I would follow up with the daily. Show them that I am there for them. Sometimes, all a person needs is to know somebody cares.
I wrote this post last Summer about the topic of depression. I link to some wonderful resources. If you, or anyone you know, is suffering with depression, you are not alone!
Here are links to all the sites now featuring Secret Subject Swap posts. Sit back, grab a cup, and check them all out. See you there:
oh boy what a tough prompt, but so true to life. What a great response and honest and thoughtful way to help a friend. Knowing there are people who love you and always want you safe is a great motivator.
ReplyDeleteWhat I love best about your answer is not just the offer of support, but the way you would open up and share your own struggles, letting this friend truly know they are not alone.
ReplyDeleteIf it is as close a friend as it says in the prompt then I know their hopes and dreams and would remind them of them. "Don't you want to take a walk on the beach on the Pacific Coast, you haven't even met your soulmate yet, there's no way you can give up this early in the game, I won't let you!"
ReplyDeleteExactly what Karen said.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're right, sometimes all that's needed is to know that someone truly cares!
<3
I think at some point in life we all hit a "give up" moment. Having someone to turn to is key,feeling safe enough to reach out and not be shunned, laughed at or unloved. Depression is real. Thanks for a great post.
ReplyDeleteThis was definitely a tough prompt, but at least it wasn't about a suicidal friend. You can say all those things and they would be true, but when someone gets to that point, sometimes words and stories aren't enough.
ReplyDeleteBut you are right. It does get better. Not all at once, not even in a day, week, year... but it gets better.
That's a tough one. I hate to see my loved ones hurting, especially when I feel like there's not much I can do about it!
ReplyDelete