Help for a friend

[Tavita]

I have a friend who suffers with depression and has twice tried to commit suicide in the past. She's in hospital at the moment and crashed the day after being admitted (by her doctor). She wanted to commit suicide again, thankfully she was in hospital already. My friend is a committed christian and a great intercessor and has been for years.

I just want your advice on 'how' to be her friend in all this. How should I talk to her, how should I 'be' when I'm with her? Do I draw her out to talk or just be a buddy and be there to listen if she wants to talk? I've never experienced this kind of depression and have no idea what the deep depths are like. She has told me in the past it's like being in a deep dark hole that you can't feel or see your way out of. And it feels like there is no hope whatsoever, even knowing Jesus is there. So, even knowing this, I wonder, are there words of comfort from our perspective that hurt them? Are there words that are too painful to hear when you're in that place? What helps you the most when in that place?

Sorry for all the questions, I'd just like to be able to understand and help.

 

[scruffy]

Hey

I sorry for your friend, it must be hard on both of you. I might not be the best person to ask about this but I have gone through depression etc. It's hard because sometimes when your depressed you don't always want the Bible pushed in your face or sometimes you just want to be completely alone. I think your a great person to stand by your friend as many of my friends left me! So firstly I want to encourage you by being such a good friend.

Secondly is obviously pray and tell her you love her and so does Jesus. Maybe remind her all the good things that have happened to her in the past and how Jesus has a purpose for us. I feel a bit hypocritical saying this because I don't take the avice I ought to, and this was the piece of advice I was given. Some people told me to wise up as if it were, but that doesn't always go own too well with all people.

All I can really say is be there when you can, encourage her and pray. But don't let you be discouraged and it is easy to take aboard your friends problems.

God bless you and your friend.x