What if they won't seek help?

It can be very difficult when you are worried about the emotional health of someone you know but they refuse to do anything about it and seek help. This can be a very worrying situation for you. There are many reasons why someone with Depression may not want to get support. These may include the fact that there is still a lot of stigma around the condition and this can make people reluctant to admit that they have it. Or they may be fearful of what a diagnosis of Depression could mean for them. For example they not want it on their medical records or for their employer to find out. Also the person may feel so hopeless that the they feel there is no point in trying to get help or support.

You can’t force someone to seek help if they don’t want to but here are some ideas that may help:

Ask them if they will tell you why they don’t want help. Hearing your perspective on the situation may change their mind.
Encourage the person to find out more about Depression. This may help them to realise they aren’t alone and that people do recover.
If the reason is that they don’t want to go to their GP, there are a lot of other self-help options available. These include support groups - here is a list of groups run by Depression Alliance Scotland; self-help books; and online courses which are totally anonymous such as Living Life to the Full. They could also consider seeing a counsellor privately or through a voluntary agency.
If you are very concerned, you could write to their GP and let them know you what is going on for your friend or relative.
The GP will not be able to discuss details of the person’s case with you, they will be aware of the problem when the person next visits
If they won’t even see you, why not write them a letter or send them a card just to remind them you are there and you care.
Finally, if you think that they are in danger, don’t feel frightened to call 999.

anna "“At times of her despair, I felt it too and at her lowest ebb, I was with her too.”

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Brought to you by Depression Alliance Scotland.
About Us | Can you really say 'crap'? | Funders | Contact Us

What if they won't seek help?
It can be very difficult when you are worried about the emotional health of someone you know but they refuse to do anything about it and seek help. This can be a very worrying situation for you. There are many reasons why someone with Depression may not want to get support. These may include the fact that there is still a lot of stigma around the condition and this can make people reluctant to admit that they have it. Or they may be fearful of what a diagnosis of Depression could mean for them. For example they not want it on their medical records or for their employer to find out. Also the person may feel so hopeless that the they feel there is no point in trying to get help or support. You can’t force someone to seek help if they don’t want to but here are some ideas that may help: Ask them if they will tell you why they don’t want help. Hearing your perspective on the situation may change their mind. Encourage the person to find out more about Depression. This may help them to realise they aren’t alone and that people do recover. If the reason is that they don’t want to go to their GP, there are a lot of other self-help options available. These include support groups - here is a list of groups run by Depression Alliance Scotland; self-help books; and online courses which are totally anonymous such as Living Life to the Full. They could also consider seeing a counsellor privately or through a voluntary agency. If you are very concerned, you could write to their GP and let them know you what is going on for your friend or relative. The GP will not be able to discuss details of the person’s case with you, they will be aware of the problem when the person next visits If they won’t even see you, why not write them a letter or send them a card just to remind them you are there and you care. Finally, if you think that they are in danger, don’t feel frightened to call 999.	"“At times of her despair, I felt it too and at her lowest ebb, I was with her too.” add your own quote
Brought to you by Depression Alliance Scotland. About Us \| Can you really say 'crap'? \| Funders \| Contact Us
Copyright: DAS, 2008; Last updated: 17/6/08