How to help a friend struggling with depression
UCI Health psychiatrist says listening is impactful
April 08, 2024
IN THE NEWS: When a loved one is battling depression, it’s common to be unsure of how you can help. You may even be tempted to avoid the issue altogether.
UCI Health psychiatrist Dr. Rimal Bera spoke to AirTalk host Larry Mantle on LAist about things that a struggling person needs most during difficult times.
“First and foremost, the best thing to do is sit there and listen. It’s really that simple. Let the person know that you’re there for them.
It’s human nature to sense when someone is in distress and not want to interfere. But this is a time where you want to get closer rather than retreat.”
Bera is psychiatrist with UCI Health Psychiatry Services and a professor of psychiatry at UCI School of Medicine. He is one of the Orange County Medical Association’s Physicians of Excellence and a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.
He has been the author or co-author on more than 180 clinical trials and is an international lecturer on major mental illnesses and their treatments.
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