How Can I Help A Person Who is Very Depressed?

Reader’s Question

What could I tell or how can I help a person who is very depressed and hopeless and does not see any way except to take her own life? She feels that life’s problems are just getting to be too much for her (financial, relationship, illness taking its toll on her and her family). She saw a lot of counselors and psychologists but feels just hopeless and feels that nothing helped. I advised her to go and see a medical Dr. because I can see that she is very depressed, and maybe he/she can put her on some medication and then she can be counseled. But she says it won’t help and her medical insurance is exhausted and has already told her that they won’t pay for any doctor’s bill for this year.

Our Consulting Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

I would agree that seeing a physician is an excellent place to start. Most physicians have a good understanding of depression and how to treat it. Physicians also have access (at least in the US) to office samples — limited quantities of free medications such as antidepressants. She might be able to start on an antidepressant in this manner, then transfer to a psychiatrist when her insurance resumes in January 2008. She can also consult local mental health centers who typically have a “sliding scale” where charges for services are based on ability to pay. There are also community agencies that provide help or referral. You can sometimes obtain support for medical bills through these agencies.

To receive help she needs to get into the mental health system. Her previous psychologist, for example, should be able to recommend additional sources of treatment in her community.

Remember that depressed people are often overwhelmed by their symptoms. They find it difficult to get out of bed. For this reason, you may need to do the homework — call agencies, talk to her physician’s office, etc. She will be more likely to follow-up with a recommendation if 1) you have the information already available and 2) you volunteer to accompany her to appointments for moral support.

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