Supporting a partner with depression can be tough. But when you’re an empathetic, understanding partner, you can make a big difference in their healing journey.

Depression is more than just feeling sad; it’s a complex mental health condition that can affect every aspect of a person’s life. By offering compassionate support, you can help your partner feel less isolated and more understood.

Here are several ways to support your partner through this difficult moment in their mental health.

Educate yourself about depression

Step one in supporting your partner through this is learning about depression itself. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatments can help you empathize with what your partner is going through.

Depression can manifest in various ways, including feelings of sadness and hopelessness, fatigue, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, and difficulty concentrating. Recognizing these signs can help you approach your partner with a more compassionate perspective.

Listen to your partner

One of the most powerful ways to support your partner is to listen to them talk about their feelings and what they’re going through. Create a safe space where they feel comfortable coming to you about their depression. Avoid offering unsolicited advice or trying to “fix” their problems.

Instead, validate their experiences and emotions by saying things like, “It’s okay to feel this way” and “I understand why you’re struggling.” Your partner needs to feel heard and understood, not dismissed.

Pick up some slack

While you shouldn’t have to shoulder all the household responsibilities while your partner is depressed, doing more can help them. Depression can make it hard to even get out of bed and take a shower.

Let your partner know you can take over a few more daily tasks like cooking, running errands, or the chores they normally hate to do. This takes some pressure on them and allows them to focus more on their mental health.

Be part of their social life

Depression gets worse when a person withdraws into themselves. Keeping up with social connections is important for mental health. Encourage them to keep in contact with friends and family. Try to have regular social meetups, and offer to accompany them places if it makes them feel more comfortable.

However, be mindful not to force socializing on them if they’re really not up for it. Just keep gently encouraging them to go at their own pace.

Be patient

Your partner will have good days and bad days. Even when it seems like they’ve been doing better, they may backslide and have a tough time again. It’s important not to shame them or berate them when this happens. Check in with them about their feelings and what they might need in these moments.

Take care of yourself, too

Having a partner who is struggling with their mental health can be exhausting. Don’t forget to take time for yourself and do things that bring you joy. Make sure you’re getting enough rest and eating healthy.

It’s okay to ask for moral support from friends, family, or a therapist, too. By taking care of yourself, you’ll be in a better position to be an empathetic and supportive partner.

Encourage them to seek help

Depression doesn’t just go away on its own. Talk to your partner about getting help from mental health professionals. They may need to see a psychiatrist, therapist, or both to get the appropriate treatment.

This may include a combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), interpersonal therapy, or other approaches.

To find out more about how couples therapy can ease your partner’s depression, please reach out to us.