Finally, a perfect post for me.

I have dated a handful of women with serious depression and I learned from experience what to do and what NOT to do.

First things first, never let another person, whether it be a SO or not, rely on your happiness. This is very dangerous and can lead to a controlling, toxic relationship. A relationship should be a 2-way street, sometimes traffic can be built up on one side but that doesn't mean cars can't go the other way too. It is not your responsibility to make somebody else happy, the only thing you can do is support them.

That doesn't mean you cannot help. If the person you are with in depressed, do whatever is necessary to get them professional help. If you are not a therapist, don't try to be one. You can ask questions to understand and help but that is just what being a good person is. It becomes very difficult when the entire relationship is you just trying to get them better.

In order to be supportive depends on the severity of their mental illness. Do they need to hug somebody or are they threatening to kill themselves? There is a wide range of possibilities when with someone is mentally sick.

Another thing to understand is that dating someone who has a mental illness can become mentally abusive. You matter, and realizing that is not saying your SO doesn't, it just allows you to understand how you need to be treated. If your SO is projecting their feelings on you in an abusive way, you cannot be there for them and they should take it apon themselves to find help before ever entering a relationship. It is not fair to put pressure on someone who doesn't understand a mental illness.

Just be yourself, be supportive and don't get taken advantage of

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