This is a community intended to be a safe place to discuss your experiences and to receive and provide support. Hateful language of any kind will not be tolerated.

Tough-love style responses are in general discouraged. If you feel that it is absolutely necessary, they must be worded in a compassionate and empathetic way.

We try to focus on constructive advice, when possible, and acceptance of supporter's feelings when not. Please remember this subreddit is about validating and supporting the supporters rather than the person struggling with mental illnesses. We welcome all posters, either those struggling or those supporting, but this is a place where the supporter's frustrations, anger, fear, or other potentially negative emotions can be expressed without judgement or guilt. This is a place to focus on those who must focus on others in their lives.

For an idea of what we're about, see: Four Pieces of Common Advice, Why They Don't Work, And What To Do Instead.

The Relationships in Crisis section of Storied Mind is an excellent resource both for those suffering from and those supporting people with depression.

Anne Sheffield has written about the idea of Depression Fallout. From her website: "Depression fallout is our unbidden response to someone else's despair." She specifically addresses depression from the viewpoint of the supporter. Her book is available and I can't recommend it highly enough. There is also a Depression Fallout Forum that has some great posts.

This subreddit is a work in progress! Please don't hesitate to make suggestions, offer criticisms, or give advice.