3.3. Describe how staff can support a person with depression

This guide will help you answer 3.3. Describe how staff can support a person with depression.

Depression is a common mental health condition that affects mood, thoughts, and physical wellbeing. People with depression may feel sad, hopeless, or lacking interest in their usual activities. Other symptoms can include poor concentration, sleep problems, changes in appetite, and low energy.

Depression can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. It may develop after a stressful event, due to ongoing health conditions, or with no clear cause. Staff should approach anyone experiencing depression with empathy and without judgement.

Staff Support and Depression

Support from staff can make a positive difference for a person with depression. Building trust, offering understanding, and respecting individual preferences helps the person feel valued and safe. Staff should be patient, attentive, and reliable in their approach.

Staff should remember that depression is not a sign of weakness or something the person can just “snap out of.” People with depression need support and care, not criticism or blame. Staff should avoid making assumptions or giving unwanted advice.

Building Positive Relationships

A positive relationship between staff and the person with depression lays the foundation for effective support.

Ways staff can build strong relationships include:

• Listening without judgement
• Using open and honest communication
• Showing patience and understanding
• Respecting the person’s privacy and dignity
• Using a calm and gentle tone
• Being consistent and reliable

Even simple greetings and short chats can make a difference. People may feel isolated when depressed, so positive contact helps them feel less alone.

Recognising the Signs of Depression

Staff should be alert to changes in behaviour or mood that might indicate depression.

Common signs include:

• Withdrawal from social activities or hobbies
• Appearing unusually sad or tearful
• Lack of energy or motivation
• Changes in sleep routines
• Eating more or less than usual
• Poor concentration
• Expressing feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Talking about feeling hopeless

If staff notice these signs, they should approach the person with sensitivity and avoid being intrusive. Open questions like, “How are you feeling today?” or “Is there anything you’d like to talk about?” can encourage the person to share, but staff should never force a conversation.

Providing Emotional Support

Emotional support is key when supporting someone with depression. Staff should be understanding, reassuring, and willing to listen. Some people find it hard to talk, so giving them time and space is important.

Ways to provide emotional support:

• Listen carefully and show interest
• Give the person time to share their feelings
• Avoid arguing or trying to “cheer them up” forcefully
• Show acceptance of how they feel
• Be patient if the person does not want to talk
• Acknowledge that their feelings are real and difficult

Staff can use active listening skills. This means not interrupting, nodding, keeping eye contact, and summarising what the person has said to check understanding.

Encouraging Choice and Independence

Depression can make a person feel powerless or lack confidence in their decisions. Staff can empower the person by involving them in everyday choices and supporting their independence.

Examples include:

• Asking how they would like to spend their time
• Letting them choose meals or activities
• Encouraging self-care where possible
• Respecting their right to say no

Offer encouragement for small achievements. For example, praise for getting out of bed, washing, or taking part in an activity. This can improve mood and confidence. Avoid putting pressure on the person or making demands that feel too much.

Supporting Daily Activities and Routines

Maintaining a routine helps people with depression feel more stable and in control. Staff can:

• Encourage regular sleeping and waking times
• Support healthy eating
• Help structure the day with gentle activities
• Suggest short walks or light exercise when appropriate
• Offer support with personal care and hygiene

Staff should recognise that low energy and motivation make simple tasks feel difficult. Breaking tasks into small steps can help. Respect when someone is not ready but offer help again later if needed.

Promoting Social Contact

Isolation can worsen depression. Encouraging safe and positive social contact, if the person wants it, is important.

Staff could:

• Invite the person to join group activities, but accept if they refuse
• Offer simple interactions, like having a cup of tea together
• Help the person keep in touch with family or friends if they wish
• Support online contact, letters, or phone calls

Sometimes, just sitting quietly with someone can help them feel included without pressure to talk.

Supporting Engagement with Hobbies and Interests

Doing enjoyable activities can help people recover from depression. The person may lose interest, but gentle encouragement can have benefits.

Staff can:

• Find out what hobbies the person used to enjoy
• Suggest creative activities, e.g., drawing, music, or gardening
• Offer opportunities to try new things without any obligation
• Encourage activity in small, manageable steps

Remember that some days the person may not want to join in. Respect their wishes but keep offering opportunities. Avoid blaming or shaming if they decline.

Encouraging Access to Professional Help

Depression often needs specialist support. Staff should encourage the person to seek help from mental health professionals when needed.

This includes:

• GPs (general practitioners)
• Counsellors or therapists
• Community mental health teams
• Crisis services if someone is at risk

Staff should:

• Offer information on seeking help
• Support the person to make appointments
• Accompany them to appointments if requested
• Help them understand treatment options, like counselling or medication

Never force a person to accept help, but explain the benefits calmly.

Monitoring for Risk and Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

Depression increases the risk of self-harm or suicide for some people. Staff need to be alert to signs of risk, such as:

• Talking about wanting to die
• Expressing hopelessness
• Giving away possessions
• Sudden mood changes

If staff believe someone is at risk, they must:

• Act calmly and do not leave the person alone
• Follow safeguarding policies
• Inform appropriate colleagues, such as a manager or safeguarding lead
• Contact emergency services if needed

Take any mention of suicide or self-harm seriously. Do not promise to keep secrets about risk, as safety comes first.

Working with Families and Other Agencies

Family and friends can play an important role. Staff can offer families information, involve them in care (with the person’s consent), and suggest sources of support.

Other agencies could include:

• The local mental health team
• Advocacy services
• Voluntary organisations
• Support groups

Sharing information and working together helps provide joined-up care. Always get consent before sharing information, unless there is a risk of harm.

Using a Person-centred Approach

A person-centred approach means focusing on the individual’s unique needs and preferences. Every person’s experience of depression is different, so staff should avoid “one size fits all” solutions.

What works for one person may not work for another. Staff should:

• Ask how the person wants to be supported
• Involve them in planning support
• Adapt approaches based on feedback
• Respect cultural and religious beliefs
• Support the person to express their wishes and feelings

Respecting Confidentiality

When supporting someone with depression, privacy matters. Information about mental health is sensitive. Staff must only share information on a need-to-know basis. This protects the person’s trust and rights.

Keep personal details confidential except when sharing is needed to prevent harm, or when the person consents.

Encouraging Self-care Strategies

Self-care can help people with depression manage their symptoms. Staff can gently encourage self-care by suggesting:

• Relaxation exercises
• Sticking to a regular routine
• Practising good sleep habits
• Engaging in gentle exercise
• Healthy eating
• Drinking enough water
• Limiting alcohol or drugs
• Taking medication as prescribed
• Using apps or online resources if suitable

Support the person to find what works best for them. Do not pressure people into anything that feels too difficult.

Being Aware of Medication

Some people with depression are prescribed medication, like antidepressants. Staff should:

• Be aware of side effects, e.g., drowsiness or stomach upsets
• Support the person to take medication as directed
• Watch for changes in mood or unusual reactions
• Be alert to missed doses or stopping medication suddenly

Staff are not expected to give medical advice, but they should report concerns to a manager or relevant professional.

Recording and Reporting

Accurate records help monitor the person’s wellbeing and share information with the care team. Staff should:

• Record changes in mood or behaviour
• Note any incidents or concerns
• Record support provided
• Share records according to the organisation’s policy

This helps keep everyone informed and supports good care.

Approaching Support with Respect and Sensitivity

Staff should always treat people with depression respectfully. Avoid negative language or labels. Encourage hope, even during setbacks.

If staff are unsure or need help themselves, they should speak to a manager, supervisor, or mental health expert. Supporting someone with depression can be emotionally demanding. Staff should take care of their own wellbeing, using organisational support where needed.

Final Thoughts

Each person’s experience of depression is different. Staff must use empathy, patience, and flexibility to support each person in the way that suits them best. Consistent support, respect, and encouragement help people with depression feel understood, safe, and valued.