The most important thing anyone can do for a depressed friend or colleague is to help him/her to get appropriate diagnosis and treatment.  Encourage the person to seek professional help if symptoms are persistent and seem to interfere with daily living activities.  This may involve encouraging the individual to stay with treatment until symptoms begin to abate (several weeks) or to seek different treatment if no such improvement occurs.  On occasion, it may require making an appointment or accompanying the depressed person to meet the mental health professional.  It may also mean monitoring whether the depressed friend or colleague is taking medication, if and as prescribed.

It is very important to offer emotional support in as unconditional a manner as possible. This involves understanding, patience, affection, and encouragement.  Let the person know that you are concerned and that you will do everything you can to be there for him/her.  Engage the depressed person in conversation and listen attentively.  Do not disparage or assess feelings which are expressed, but point out realities and offer hope.  Do not ignore remarks about suicide, as frightening as they are to hear.  Always report them to the depressed person’s therapist.  Invite the depressed person to go for walks, outings, to the movies, or to other activities.  Be gently insistent if your invitation is refused, which is very likely to happen.   Encourage participation in some activities which once gave pleasure, such as hobbies, sports, religious or cultural activities, but do not push the depressed person to undertake too much too soon.  The depressed person needs diversion and company, but too many demands or pressures can increase feelings of failure or of being overwhelmed.

• Do not tell a depressed person that you "know" how they feel.  This may elicit anger and resentment at you.
• Do not expect him or her to "snap out of it."  Keep reassuring your friend or colleague that, with time and help, he or she will likely feel better.
• Be a good listener. Don’t minimize or deny the pain your friend is expressing. Talk freely and fully about your concerns and reactions.
• Be non-judgmental. Don’t offer easy solutions. Don’t tell your friend that they will "get over it soon."  If they could, they would.
• Know your limits. If you feel overwhelmed or that the things your friend discusses are very serious, acknowledge that to your friend.
• Work with them to get the help they need and not to rely too much on you.
• Understand and appreciate the difference between professional and non-professional help. If someone is "blue" and having a bad day, talking to a friend is probably all they need. When someone is truly depressed and has been so for a while (two weeks or more), they probably need to talk to a professional who is trained in dealing with people who are clinically depressed.
• In the most serious of cases, do not allow yourself to agree to keep your friend’s suicidal feelings or intentions a secret. You must notify an appropriate person on behalf of your friend (an RA, counselor, off-campus mental health professional, hospital ER, police, etc.)
• Be sure to resume your own life. When a friend is in the midst of a crisis, we often feel an ongoing responsibility to ensure that s/he is all right. Remember that ultimately we are all responsible for ourselves. All you can do as a friend is to offer assistance and support.
• Do not try to "cheer up" the depressed individual.
• Avoid criticizing or shaming the individual.  Do everything you can to avoid displaying anger and/or frustration with the depressed individual.

Risk Factors for Suicide

• Direct expression of suicidal intent
• "Hints" about suicidal intent
• Hopelessness
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Someone significant has committed suicide (family member, friend, partner)
• Putting affairs in order
• Giving away personal possessions
• Preoccupation with death
• Rejection of help
• No future orientation
• Alcohol/drug abuse
• Impulsivity