The Little Blue Book

You likely won’t find it easy getting the conversation going. There is no iron-clad rule other than sincerity, concern and a willingness to listen. But try this: • Ask how they’re feeling: start with a quiet “RUOK?” Don’t be deterred if they deflect the enquiry and clam up. Pick your moment, and have another shot at another time • Explain your concern: if you can break through with a few gentle questions about ‘how they’re travelling’, let them know you are concerned for them and want to help • Listen to them: if they begin to open up, encourage them to talk. Talking breaks down barriers; the more you can talk, the more opportunity you will have to steer them towards help • Ask them if they’re getting help: tell them you’ve noticed a few changes, that they seem troubled, and ask if they’ve been to see their GP • Say something like: “You’re not yourself mate; why don’t you take the day off and see your doctor? We can handle things here.” • Follow up a little later: ask them “how they got on” • And if they haven’t called, offer to make an appointment with a medical professional for them. Offer to take them and to stay with them. “RUOK MATE?” How To Approach Someone Showing Signs Of Depression SIGNS OF DEPRESSION YOU MIGHT RECOGNISE IN OTHERS There may be many signs. The consistent sign you will see is a change in mood as though a deep gloom has passed over them – as though they’ve “been bitten by the black dog”. • Persistent negative self-talk and lacking motivation; “there’s no point”, “I can’t do this anymore” • Seeming sad, deep silences, not enjoying things they once enjoyed • Easily confused and lacking confidence • Increased absences, often with little warning, and deteriorating work performance • Unusually irritable, emotionally on edge or easily tearful • Isolating themselves, not talking, not wanting to join in • Appearing heavily pre-occupied with their own thoughts, distant and distracted • Noticeable weight loss or weight gain over a short period • Signs that they’ve not been sleeping; deep-ringed eyes, always tired, falling asleep inappropriately • Or sleeping too much, spending long parts of the day in bed • Signs they’ve been drinking heavily, taking drugs or misusing medications. You might come armed to that chat with a few phone numbers – for services like BeyondBlue, The Black Dog Institute, ADA’s Friendly Ear Helpline – and encourage them to make the call. What you do, and your follow-up, can be lifesaving. 73 ADA Australia PostScript Section 2 Section 1 Section 3