Serious issue, my friend is depressed

[plifter]

To simplify the situation, he screwed up and lost a good job. He's now deeply depressed and I'm afraid he's going to hurt himself. He hasn't worked in about a year. I keep trying to encourage him to get back in the game and get another job. He has a graphic design degree and 5 plus years experience working as an artist in the advertising industry. I just don't know how to help him. He needs good professional help which doesn't come cheap. He's running low on funds. I hate to see a friend suffer but I'm not a trained psychologist and just don't know how to help.

 

[wootoom]

Suicide threads are agains TOS bro.

 

[Raptorex]

if he is unemployed he will qualify for free care - try to get him/her to a clinic to get a scrip for an anti-D and go from there.
Admittance is not out of the question if it is serious.

good luck

 

[jerkbox]

sounds like one of my friends....been living with his parents for about 2 years now....i tried to give him as many connections as I could and offered to help him with his res and portfolio, but he never took me up on any of it. Probably not much you can do about it.

 

[plifter]

I feel obligated to try to help him. There's a tax funded mental health clinic that charges based on how much the patient is able to afford. It's going to take a really patient and caring doctor to be able to handle him. I'm just afraid the cheap clinic might not have the best staff. At least it's better than nothing.

 

[calveless wonder]

The guy is living in the past(literally). His self esteem is pure shit and he's just creating destructive habits to further bring him down right now. not a good place to be...he despises himself. to have a lingering affect on losing a job for a year is not normal..it's gone on for way too long.

At this point his biological system is probably completely fucked up from the depression he's put himself into. he needs meds to correct that temporarily...but he NEEDS help so his thought patterns and beliefs don't put him further into depression. any kind of help. He needs to learn to not suffer from the past and focus on the NOW, the present moment.

you also need to talk to him as a friend..............

most people WANT help..and guess what, suicide or attempts are a cry for help.

I'd be straight up with him completely...break it down for him and let him know you care. most people withdraw compeltely from their friends during depression and its the worst thing you can do. talking from experience and from seeing many different cases of it

 

[Raptorex]

Your correct in theory, however unfortunately that is not how mental health issues respond in practice.

The guy is living in the past(literally). His self esteem is pure shit and he's just creating destructive habits to further bring him down right now. not a good place to be...he despises himself. to have a lingering affect on losing a job for a year is not normal..it's gone on for way too long.

At this point his biological system is probably completely fucked up from the depression he's put himself into. he needs meds to correct that temporarily...but he NEEDS help so his thought patterns and beliefs don't put him further into depression. any kind of help. He needs to learn to not suffer from the past and focus on the NOW, the present moment.

you also need to talk to him as a friend..............

most people WANT help..and guess what, suicide or attempts are a cry for help.

I'd be straight up with him completely...break it down for him and let him know you care. most people withdraw compeltely from their friends during depression and its the worst thing you can do. talking from experience and from seeing many different cases of it

 

[GoldenDelicious]

get him to a doctor.

as much as people hate anti depressants, theyre cost effective and usually push you in the right direction. plus doctors as primary health providers can point you in the right direction in regards to free mental services/support groups in your area

 

[the_clockwork]

The guy is living in the past(literally). His self esteem is pure shit and he's just creating destructive habits to further bring him down right now. not a good place to be...he despises himself. to have a lingering affect on losing a job for a year is not normal..it's gone on for way too long.

At this point his biological system is probably completely fucked up from the depression he's put himself into. he needs meds to correct that temporarily...but he NEEDS help so his thought patterns and beliefs don't put him further into depression. any kind of help. He needs to learn to not suffer from the past and focus on the NOW, the present moment.

you also need to talk to him as a friend..............

most people WANT help..and guess what, suicide or attempts are a cry for help.

I'd be straight up with him completely...break it down for him and let him know you care. most people withdraw compeltely from their friends during depression and its the worst thing you can do. talking from experience and from seeing many different cases of it

I wouldn't go at him trying to force him to a health professional, although seeing his family physician shouldn't be out of the question. I assume he has some health insurance coverage? If so I would go see his family doctor and see about getting some samples or a prescription to an anti depressant. As for you, maybe you should make an effort to make him get out of his selfslumming habitat and take him out a night or something. On your spare time find some jobs he could qualify for and print them out and give them to him, maybe some hope could arise when he sees the potential he is pissing away. If you have to drag his ass to your house and build his resume with him and send it out. If you are truly worried about him force him to do shit until he passes this stage. His income/ financial troubles is probably pushing him deeper and deeper into depression

 

[Spartacus]

drugs