Comforting messages for a friend who is sad
15 Encouraging Things to Say to Someone with Depression
It can be tough finding the right thing to say to someone close who has depression. We’ve put together meaningful options for support.
Depression often makes us feel we’re worthless, like there’s no point to anything, or that we’re unlovable. This is far from the truth, but that can be hard to explain to someone who’s living with depression.
If you want to comfort a friend or loved one who has depression but you feel stuck, consider using these words of encouragement to connect with and support them.
Depression can affect anyone. In fact, around 280 million people live with depression, according to the World Health Organization.
Depression doesn’t look or feel the same to everyone. There are different causes, types, and symptoms that make each person’s experience unique.
Some common characteristics of depression include:
- feelings of hopelessness
- negative thoughts about yourself and the world
- difficulty functioning and doing typical daily activities
- sleep or appetite changes
If you know someone with depression, providing them encouragement, motivation, and support can go a long way to giving them hope and helping them get through difficult times.
Here are some phrases and ideas that might help you support a person you care about who has depression.
When you’re using these, it can help to stay mindful of your context. Only say something if it feels like it makes sense in the situation, and always be genuine and keep an open mind.
Listen and be sensitive to the person’s cues. If they don’t seem receptive, consider trying at a different time or taking a different approach.
‘It’s OK to not feel OK’
Whether your friend or loved one is currently getting treatment or hasn’t received a formal diagnosis, it’s OK if they’re not OK. Everyone has good and bad days. We all deserve some grace.
Sometimes, they might feel shame if they’re experiencing difficult feelings, so it might help to remind them that it’s OK to feel that way. Making it safe for them to express and sit with their real feelings in your presence can go a long way.
And just because right now is bad doesn’t mean later will be.
‘You’re not alone’
It’s easy to feel isolated if you have depression.
Due to stigma, many people still don’t talk about mental health issues, which might lead your friend or loved one to feel even more alone.
You can remind your loved one that you’re here for them, and that depression is a very common mental health condition — many people experience it and have gotten through it.
If the person you care about thinks it might help to talk with others who are going through similar things, you could even help them find a support group.
‘You can move forward in the face of your depression’
Some people believe that having depression makes them “weak” or “broken.” The truth is that every day they get out of bed, go to work, or move forward while living with depression is proof of their ability to keep going.
Depression can feel like a weight on your chest. For some people, it can be a disability.
However, every day that someone keeps going while they’re living with depression is proof they can keep going.
‘I’m here for you, no matter what’
If your friend or loved one is feeling like they’re a burden or unworthy of your love, it can help to remind them that you’re going to be there for them, always — not just when things are going well.
‘Help is available’
When someone feels hopeless, it can seem like nothing will help relieve their symptoms.
But so many depression treatments exist, so reminding the person you care about of this and helping them seek help if they need it can make a huge difference.
‘Your story isn’t over’
If your friend or loved one is having suicidal thoughts, they may feel like there’s no point to living or that their life is already over.
But every day is another page in their story. While it may feel dark and hopeless at times — not to mention hard to remember the bright moments — there are good days coming and things to look forward to.
If you believe they’re considering suicide or self-harm
- See a list of Psych Central’s suicide prevention resources.
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text 838255.
- Call 911 if you think there’s an immediate danger, but be sure to tell them it’s a mental health crisis in case they have available crisis intervention officers.
- If you’re with them, stay until help arrives. Remove any weapons or substances from your surroundings that could cause harm. If you’re not there, stay on the phone until help arrives.
- Listen but don’t judge, argue, yell, or threaten.
Whether you share these with your friend or write them on sticky notes to leave around their home, some of these uplifting quotes could bring a little hope and brightness to a loved one with depression.
There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.John Green
One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through, and it will be someone else’s survival guide.Brené Brown
If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.
Fred Rogers
It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop.Confucius
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.Albert Einstein
The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.Buddha
When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.Alexander Graham Bell
It is never too late to be what you might have been.George Eliot
And if today all you did was hold yourself together, I’m proud of you.Anonymous
There’s no right thing to say to someone with depression.
There are a number of ways you can encourage your friend, with or without words.
Here are some other ways you can support someone living with depression:
- Listen to them. Use active listening. Do not interrupt when they tell you about what they’re going through. Only offer advice if they ask for it.
- Stay in touch. Call, text, or visit with them in person regularly if you can. They may find it hard to reach out to you or others.
- Praise them. Tasks you might find easy may feel monumental to the person you care about who’s living with depression. Recognizing their efforts and offering genuine praise can make them feel good about the work they’re doing and what they’ve accomplished.
- Use empathetic body language. Your tone, facial expressions, and body language matter just as much as your words. For example, relax your hands on your lap instead of keeping your arms folded, make eye contact, and move your eyebrows to show empathy.
Avoid body language that might seem defensive, aggressive, or disapproving. - Tell them what they mean to you. You may want to comment on ways they’ve helped you in the past, what your friendship means to them, and how they’ve made a difference in your life.
- Support them in seeking help. Whether your person chooses to see a doctor for a diagnosis or find a therapist, you can offer to make a call, go with them to their appointment, or search online for a local therapist for them.
- Avoid toxic positivity. Telling someone with depression to just think positively, using generic platitudes like “Everything will be OK,” or focusing only on the good can be more alienating than helpful. While positive thinking can have benefits, it’s a lot easier said than done.
Remember that, at the end of the day, if someone you care about is experiencing depression, you can’t control how they’ll respond to your encouragement.
Even if they appreciate your words, it might take them some time to recover, so try to be patient.
Simply being there with an open mind, practicing active listening, and offering your consistent support can make a huge difference.
50+ Inspirational Messages for a Friend Who is Sad
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When a friend is going through a difficult time, it can be difficult to find the right comforting words.
You want them to feel better, but sometimes you just don’t know what to say.
However, there are some things that can always come in handy in a pinch:
An encouraging word or two, a hand on their back, your full attention; these small gestures show your friend that you care about and support them during this difficult time.
When you take the initiative and reach out to someone who is hurting with empathy and understanding, you give them permission to feel what they need without shame or guilt.
You show them that it’s okay if they don’t want to talk about it right now; sometimes just being present is enough for the time being, even if everything feels overwhelming.
Sometimes the best thing we can do is be there for our friends, and this post is full of inspirational messages that will make your friend smile again!
These 50+ inspirational messages for a friend who is sad will help to lift their spirits and remind them that they are not alone.
So if you know someone who could use some cheering up, be sure to share these words of encouragement with them!
Without further ado, send these 50+ comforting words to a sad friend!
Table of Contents
Inspirational Messages for a Friend Who is Sad
The important thing to remember when a friend is going through one of those times when life feels like a daily struggle is that it is okay to not be okay.
Even the most cheerful person you know can have days when they are discouraged, overwhelmed, or depressed.
However, with a few simple comforting words, you can give someone who is feeling down in the dumps a glimmer of hope.
When a friend is feeling down, sometimes the best thing to do is simply send them a message that will make them feel better.
Here are some comforting messages you can send to a friend in need of emotional support:
1. I know you’re feeling really down right now, but I’m here for you.
2. It’s okay to be sad sometimes – it means that you care.
3. You are not alone in this, and I will always be there for you no matter what.
4. I am so glad that we can talk about things like this together because it makes me feel a lot better too!
5. There is nothing wrong with taking a break from social media or the internet when things get bad.
6. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel – you just have to keep going.
7. Take a step back. Sometimes you need time for yourself so that you can recharge.
8. I’m here for you if you need anything, even if it’s just to talk about your feelings.
9. It will get easier with time, I promise.
10. You’re not alone in this struggle – I know what you’re going through because I’ve been there before and survived the storm as well!
11. In the end, everything will be okay.
12. This too shall pass.
13. You are so much stronger than you know.
14. What’s done is done and there is nothing you can do to change it now.
15. I’m sorry this happened to you, but I’m here for you if you need anything.
It’s so hard to see a friend in pain.
You might not think of anything that would make them feel better, but there are some things you can do for support and encouragement.
The best thing you can do is just be there with your friend while they’re going through their feelings; don’t try to fix it or come up with solutions on your own.
You might like: The Top 10 Best Ways On How To Encourage Someone
Message for a Friend who is Feeling Down
When people face adversity, they frequently believe it is the end of the world.
They might need to hear this to cheer themselves up at times.
Messages like this to a friend may not immediately make them happy, but it shows that you care and wish them more happiness.
When a friend is feeling sad, it can be tough to know what to say. However, a few thoughtful words can make all the difference.
Here are some comforting messages for a friend who is sad:
- You’re not alone in this – we’re all here for each other.
- It’s okay to be sad sometimes – everyone needs a break sometimes from being happy.
- Things will get better soon.
- You are not alone.
- Life is full of ups and downs, but it always goes on.
- The world is a beautiful place, even if it’s not always easy to see that.
- You can’t let one bad thing ruin your whole day.
- It’s okay to feel sad sometimes, but don’t forget how good you have it in the meantime.
- Focus on what you have going for yourself rather than dwelling on what you don’t know or haven’t done yet.
- Don’t ever forget how loved and cared about you are – no matter what anyone says!
- Take time every day to do something that makes you happy – it doesn’t need to be anything big!
- It’s okay to be sad sometimes.
- I don’t know what it’s like to walk in your shoes, but I do know that I’m here for you.
- It’s okay not to be okay sometimes.
- Keep going because life isn’t about how many times you fall down, it’s about how many times you get back up.
You might enjoy: 40 Inspirational Phrases For Encouraging Someone
Comforting Paragraph for a Friend who is Sad
You may be at a loss for words or actions to make them happy.
But, even if it’s a little tricky, sending messages of encouragement to a sad friend can make a world of a difference.
Here are some comforting paragraphs you can send to a friend who feels sad to brighten their day and encourage them:
- Sometimes it seems like everything is going wrong. You feel alone, you have no one to talk to, and things are just too difficult. I know how hard it can be to get out of this situation. The world can seem so dark when everything feels like it’s crashing in on you; but when the sun shines again, don’t forget that there will always be someone there for you.
- I know you are feeling really down right now. You have been through so much, and it’s hard to imagine anything getting better. But I’m here for you. It will get better, I promise! And even if it doesn’t, we’ll figure out a way together. After all the time we’ve spent being friends over the years, you deserve my support no matter what happens next.
- I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling down.
It is hard when we feel sad and can’t seem to find anything that makes us happy. Maybe it’s just the blues or maybe it has something to do with a relationship. Whatever the reason, know that there is someone out there who cares about you and wants nothing more than for you to be happy again. You deserve happiness!
- Moments like these give us the opportunity to dig deep and summon our inner strength in order to stay afloat. I know you can do it, and if you need someone to lean on, I’ll be there for you.
- Looking back on all the memories we’ve shared, it’s clear that we’ve been through some difficult times together, and at each of these times, we’ve emerged stronger, happier, and better, and this will be no exception. So get your spirits up already.
- I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to rely on you when things go wrong. You’ve always had my back and given me hope when I couldn’t find my way. So I’m confident you have the fortitude to face adversity head-on.
- You’ve always had my back, your shoulders have always been broad enough for me to lean on, you’ve always been a light in the midst of the deepest darkness, and that’s what I want you to be in this difficult time – SHINE.
- You’re probably aware that the tree with the best fruits attracts the most stones. Whatever you’re going through is just a test of your resilience and tenacity, so ace the test, mate.
You might enjoy: 60+ Empath Quotes to Empower Your Sensitive Side
Good Night Message for Sad Friend
Send these good night messages to a sad friend to make their night better and let them know that you are there for them.
- You are loved and supported by so many people – don’t ever forget that, good night.
- There will always be someone who cares about what happens to you and wants the best for you.
- You don’t need anyone else in order to feel better about yourself; just look at all of the amazing qualities you have! Sweet dreams my friend.
- We’ll always be there for you when things get tough.
- I promise everything will get better by time, good night.
- I’m sorry to hear that you’re feeling down, but I want you to know that we’re here for you if it gets too much.
- Do something nice for yourself tonight – take a bath, watch your favorite movie, or read that book that’s been on your list forever! Practice some self-care and I promise you that you’ll feel better tomorrow.
- There are so many people who care about you and want to help make things better, don’t ever forget that. Good night.
- You don’t have to worry about anything right now except taking good care of yourself.
- Just remember that I love you and want to be there for you when it gets tough. I hope this message brings a smile back to your face!
- I’m here for you if you need to talk.
- Hey! You’re not alone in this – I’m here with you every step of the way!
- I want to be there for you and help make it better, too! Let me know what I can do.
- Sometimes things happen in our lives that are so difficult they seem impossible to overcome – but if we work together, anything is possible!
- Please don’t forget how much your friends care about you even when things are tough.
It can be hard to know the right thing to say when consoling a friend who is feeling down, but it’s important to remember that just being there for them is often more helpful than trying to come up with the perfect words.
Read next: 60+ Unique ‘I Love You Because’ Quotes For Him And Her
Bottom Line
It is hard to be a friend during difficult times.
I know you care about your friends and want them to feel better, but there isn’t always anything we can do.
On the other hand, spending time with you will always make your friends happy!
So call them right now or plan an outing for this week; simply being together in person will help lift their mood.
You may not have the words to say, but hugs are free and work wonders if they are willing!
I hope you enjoyed these comforting words for a friend who is sad! Let me know how they worked for you in the comments section down below.
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how to support a friend in a difficult moment
A friend in need... Let's help with a kind word, tactful advice, a joke. How to support a friend in English?
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Can you make friends? Being a good friend means helping your friends when something goes wrong. You can communicate fluently in English only when you learn to find the right word at the right time. Today we will learn English expressions with which you can cheer up an English-speaking friend who is in a difficult situation or who is depressed for any reason.
“If a friend suddenly finds himself”… in an unpleasant situation, feels down (to feel down), experiences some kind of problem: lost his job, is on the verge of a breakdown (breakdown), or is simply too emotionally experiencing some event ... How to console him (to console), how to help him cope with the problem?
We help to speak out
So what to do in such a sad situation? Often, when a person is going through difficult times, he just needs to be allowed to speak out - perhaps this will be enough. What to do? To ask questions. To a friend who lost his job, you could ask the following questions:
| What are you going to do now? | What are you going to do now? |
| Have you thought about. | Have you thought about...? |
| Are you looking for another job? | Are you looking for a new job? |
.? Being forced to answer a question, a friend will talk, express what is sore, ease his soul and, perhaps, at least a little forget about the problem. Give him support (be supportive) - after all, as the famous English proverb says: "A friend in need is a friend indeed." ("Friend is known in trouble").
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Giving advice
As a good friend, you would be happy to give advice to a friend, but be careful not to offend the person. Put yourself in the place of your unfortunate friend and formulate advice in this way: "If I were you .
.." ("In your place ..."), for example:
| If I were you, I'd go to my boss and say: 'Look, you're not going to fire me. All right? I dare you to fire me.' | If I were you, I would go to my boss and say, “Look, you won't fire me, okay? Just try to fire me!”. |
Avoiding faux pas
But sometimes direct advice can be taken with hostility and its meaning needs to be slightly softened:
I'm sorry to hear that you lost your job.
You lost your job... I feel so sorry for you!
The main reason why it is better to give advice in a veiled form is so that your interlocutor does not feel that you are talking condescendingly (condescending), haughtily (in a patronizing manner) or without due sympathy to him.
Condescending - imagine the situation: you have lost your job and some well-wisher suggests that you look for a job on the Internet, as if you yourself had not guessed it before.
Patronising is when they tell you:
| Don't worry, I'm sure you'll eventually get something. I mean you don't have many qualifications, but you'll probably get something. eventually. | Don't worry, you'll find something for yourself in time. Well, you're not such a valuable specialist, but you'll probably find something for yourself. With time. |
Sharing experiences
What else can we do to help an upset person? If you know the problem of your friend, share your experience, tell about your feelings at that moment, about how it all happened and how you came out of a difficult situation with honor.
In our example with a friend who lost his job, these could be the following phrases:
| When I was made redundant it was a big shock. At first I was anxious, but I soon saw that it was a blessing in disguise. There's light at the end of the tunnel. | When I was "downsized", I experienced a great shock. At first I was worried, but then I realized that it was only for the best. Everything will work out. |
Lend a shoulder
Give support, offer help - become a “shoulder to cry on” (literally: “a shoulder to cry on”):
| Let me know if there's anything I can do. I'm here for you if you need anything. | Tell me how can I help you? If you need anything, you can count on me. |
Encourage a friend (to reassure), give him hope for the future, but not the formal “Don't worry, everything will be OK.” ("Do not worry, it will be good"). It's better to say: "Something will come up." (“Something new will appear”): the phrasal verb to come up means “to appear, to arise.”
Trying to cheer up
You can also try to cheer up a friend with a joke - this is accepted in British culture (the main thing is that the joke is understood correctly). After all, when the mood is not very good and someone successfully jokes, everyone becomes more fun!
How do you like this option:
| Yeah. Joke. | Look... didn't I tell you? Joke. |
Hey... Guess what? Did I tell you? Actually, we got a slightly dubious joke - but it depends on your friend's sense of humor, be guided by him so that the joke does not backfire.
And finally, another method of comforting the unfortunate called “lullaby for the night” (learn from Dr. Sheldon Cooper):
We hope that the phrases given here will help you cheer up a sad friend, express your sympathy and empathy to him. How do you act, what do you say in such a situation? We are waiting for comments!
Check if you know the top 100 English words
See also:
How to start a conversation in English
100 popular conversational phrases in English
Can you end a conversation in English tactfully?
6 phrases to support a loved one in a difficult period
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Practices how to Antistress
1.
“Just know: I am always there” Having made it clear that you are ready to be there in any situation, you are already providing support. A suffering person realizes how painful, and sometimes burdensome for others, his condition, and begins to close himself off from people. Your words will make him feel less alone and isolated.
You can even say nothing - just be there, listen, or just be silent together. Your presence will help a person overcome the internal blockade, will make him feel: he is still loved and accepted.
2. "What can I do to help you?"
People experiencing a psychological breakdown are often unable to answer this question. However, your words will help someone who is going through a difficult period to listen to himself, to his desires.
Even if you are told that you don't need anything, believe me - it was very important to hear this question. And if a person decides to tell and you listen to him, it will be a huge help for him.
3. “I really like about you…”
In moments of depression, we lose self-confidence and often self-esteem. And if you make a compliment, pointing out the winning sides and qualities: delicate taste, attention and kindness, features of appearance, this will help you start treating yourself with more attention and love.
4. “Yes, I also think that it is difficult and unfair”
Deep experiences make you mentally return to the events that caused them again and again, and the environment begins to seem that he is exaggerating and it is high time to pull himself together.
Depressed people become hypersensitive, and in order for the interlocutor to trust you, it is important to make it clear that you share his emotions. You acknowledge that he has been treated unfairly and the circumstances he is going through are difficult. If he feels that his bitter feelings are accepted, and not devalued, he will more likely find the strength to move on.
5.
"I'll help you find a way out" If you see a person sinking into a deep depression, the best thing you can do is help them get professional support.
For many people who have never experienced therapy before, the prospect of going to a specialist is daunting. You can contact a psychotherapist yourself and invite a loved one to accompany him to the first appointment. In a state of depression, there is often no strength to turn to outside help, and your support will be invaluable.
6. “I understand you: it happened to me too”
If you or someone close to you went through similar ups and downs in life, tell us about it. Your openness will help the person become more outspoken.
The more and more freely he talks about what torments him, realizing that words resonate, the less helpless and lonely he feels. And gradually the situation will begin to be perceived not so hopeless.
About the author: Gene Kim is Professor of Psychiatry at George Washington University.
