254. how to help someone who doesn’t want help (without making it worse)

About this episode

In this episode, Sadie Sutton discusses how to support someone struggling with depression, sharing personal insights and practical advice.

how do you help someone who’s struggling with depression?? in this solo episode, i answer a mom's question on how she can best support her son with his depression. i explain how my mental health journey taught me what the best– and worst!– ways are to be there for someone who’s depressed– and three conversation ideas you can try out. whether you’re a parent, sibling, or friend, this advice can apply to anyone who wants to be a support system for their loved one. i talk about: • what to do if someone you care about is feeling hopeless • why encouragement can be invalidating when you’re depressed • do’s + don’ts for supporting someone who’s depressed • using dbt diary cards to validate • the best ways to offer advice to someone with depression • how depression + anger are linked • three ways to make someone feel less alone mentioned: • ep.209 maddy ellberger • ep.156 diary cards • ep.248 diary cards • ep.215 caroline fleck • validation by caroline fleck • mclean 3east ☕giveaway! want coffee on me? every month, i gift one listener a starbucks gift card to enter: 1. leave a review on apple or spotify 2. dm me a screenshot on instagram 📲 bonus entries for story or tiktok tags…

Topics covered

• mental health
• depression
• support
• self-care
• DBT

Keywords

• help
• conversation ideas
• validation
• encouragement
• hopelessness

Mentioned in this episode

Products: dbt diary, DBT diary cards

More episodes of she persisted

• 262. your life isn’t going to feel like this forever (feat. dr. blaise aguirre) · September 7, 2026 · 25 min
• 261. what if part of you doesn’t want to get better? (feat. dr. blaise aguirre) · August 22, 2026 · 28 min
• 260. you don’t have to be in crisis to need help (feat. hailey hardcastle) · August 7, 2026 · 31 min
• 259. why you feel LOST after graduation (what actually helps!) · July 23, 2026 · 36 min
• 258. why you never feel good enough (even when you're doing everything right) dr. marisa g franco · July 16, 2026 · 22 min
• 257. why you can be loved and still feel unlovable (feat. dr. marisa franco) · July 4, 2026 · 27 min