Depression:
A Conversation Between You and (Insert Name Of Loved One)
By Lou Dos Santos
2022-08-18
(name), I would like to talk to you about something. (name), I know you are struggling. I need you to know that I am here for you. I hear you, I know I don’t understand but I want to try. Will you help me to try and understand what you’re going through? What you are feeling? Why do I want to know? Because I love you, (name). I want to help you, I want to see you smile again and be happy. You are not alone in this, I’m not going anywhere, I’m with you. Talk to me, (name), you can tell me anything, I just want to understand the best I can. I understand it’s difficult to explain and that’s OK. As I said, I’m not going anywhere, I’m here for you. Oh it’s OK to cry, let me hold you. Why am I crying too? Because I love you, (name) and I don’t want you to feel this way. Yes, you will be OK. We are going to work on this together. I know sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone else, I understand. No, it doesn’t bother me, I get it. Let me find someone who can help you. I’ll go with you, whatever it takes, (name). The most important thing to me is that you feel better, because you will. I don’t just believe it, I know you will. You don’t need to be afraid of getting help, try to look forward to it. Know you will feel better and happy again. Don’t give up, (name) you know I won’t. Am I sure I’ll go with you? You better believe I will, whatever it takes, you can count on me. please let’s do this. You deserve to be happy. Thank you, (name), thank you for agreeing to get help, thank you, (name), you just made me so happy. Why am I crying? They’re tears of joy, because I know you will feel so much better, be happy again and that makes me so happy. Why? Because I love you, (name). How about you get dressed and we go somewhere? Where? Wherever you want, a walk, grab a bite to eat, or maybe some ice cream, my diet can wait. Let’s just get out for a bit, wherever you want to go. Sounds great. Why am I crying now? Because……I love you, (name) and because…… I know you love me too.
Why I Wrote This.
I would like to explain the reason I wrote this. I woke up early morning (earlier than I would have liked) in tears. I was thinking of exactly what I wrote above. I was having a very similar conversation with someone and I was emotional. I can’t tell you who that someone was as I was unable to see their face or recognize the voice. The interesting thing to me is that I am the one who has battled depression most of my life. As I laid in bed, I continued to have tears rolling down my face. My nose was runny and my wife asked if I was getting sick. I responded “just congested” as I had no desire to discuss what happened. It took me a while to analyze it all. I decided to write this piece in the hope that someone can start a conversation with someone they care about struggling with depression, of course in their own words and expressing their own feelings. This conversation is from the friend or loved one as you can tell. The reactions from the person struggling can be varied but we don’t know if we don’t try. Sometimes, we have to keep trying. Please reach out to someone who needs you and always remember this. To do nothing is just that…Nothing. Your loved one deserves better, the best from you.
Lou Dos Santos
Life Coach, writer and co-founder of Depression-youarenotalone.com