When someone you love has depression, learning how to be helpful and supportive can be difficult. Depression is often challenging not just for the person experiencing it, but also for those around them. This can be especially true for parents. If your daughter has depression, learning how to help is likely one of your top priorities. Feeling a mixture of eagerness to help and concern for your child is common. The good news is that there are several ways you can offer your support through this difficult time. By taking the right steps, you can help make a positive impact on your daughter’s mental health.

Ways to help your daughter with depression

• Listen with empathy — When someone is dealing with a mental health disorder, having someone who will listen can have a major impact. Feeling heard can go a long way in feeling connected and hopeful. To help your daughter with depression, try to create a safe space for communication. Let her know she can express her feelings and thoughts without judgment. Enabling your daughter to lead the conversation while you show your understanding and emotional support can be important. Listening is a simple act with the potential for significant benefits. By encouraging open communication, you can strengthen your bond and reduce feelings of isolation.
• Educate yourself — Knowledge is power. By learning about the nuances of mental health, you may be better equipped to help your daughter with depression. Understanding depression is key to providing effective support. This knowledge can help enable you to be more empathetic and informed when it comes to your daughter’s condition. By becoming educated, you can also do your part in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health discussions.
• Encourage getting help — Depression should not be taken lightly. If your daughter is experiencing mental health symptoms associated with major depressive disorder, helping her receive the right kind of care is important. Professional treatment can be vital in many cases. By encouraging and facilitating treatment, you can help your child gain access to expert guidance. The right clinical treatment provider can play a crucial role in helping your daughter with depression.
• Practice self-care — When you are focused on helping others, finding time for yourself can be difficult. This does not mean that self-care is any less important during these times. Maintaining your own mental and physical health can help ensure you are able to effectively respond to your daughter’s needs. Simple self-care activities like going for a walk or enjoying a movie night can be surprisingly helpful. By engaging in self-care activities with your daughter, you can have a bonding experience that reduces stress for both of you.
• Inspire healthy habits — Mental and physical health are closely intertwined. By keeping your body healthy, you can help boost your mental health as well. When you want to inspire healthy habits in your child, try leading by example. Encouraging a well-balanced diet in the household, for example, can positively affect mood and energy levels. Simple physical activities like walking or bicycling can also be helpful. By fitting healthy habits into a consistent routine, you can help your child create a structured daily schedule. This can help your daughter manage the malaise that often comes with depression. Healthy habits may also help improve sleep patterns.
• Stay patient — Dealing with depression can be a long journey. When you have a daughter with depression, approaching each day with patience and understanding can be a major help. Progress may not always be linear; your child might experience both setbacks and breakthroughs over time. By maintaining a positive outlook, you can help boost your daughter’s confidence in her future. Try to celebrate her achievements along the way, whether it’s consistently attending treatment sessions or simply getting out of bed in the morning. Your unwavering support can be highly valuable.

Lightfully can help with addressing your daughter’s depression

By wanting to learn how you can help your daughter with depression, you have taken an important step. At Lightfully Behavioral Health, we can help guide your family through the steps that follow. As a clinical treatment provider, we are committed to treating each person with compassion and expertise. Our licensed clinical therapists use a range of effective treatment techniques at multiple levels of care, guided by our client-first principles.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of your daughter.