For family & friends
How can family and friends offer practical support for depression?
Examples include helping arrange an appointment or accompanying someone to a consultation. Whether and how relatives are involved in treatment should be discussed with the person’s agreement. [1][2]
General information for adults. Not medical or psychotherapeutic advice; not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment.
Sources & editorial status
- German National Clinical Practice Guideline · Chapter 3: Treatment planning ↗
German-language clinical guideline. Used for shared decisions, treatment goals and involving family members.
- IQWiG · Strategies for family and friends ↗
Patient information about supporting someone and looking after yourself. General suggestions require consideration of individual circumstances.
Compiled from an existing article: 31 October 2026. Source comparison in the article: 29 October 2026. Prepared with AI assistance; independent medical review is pending. Editorial compilation; independent medical expert review has not taken place.
Editorial responsibility: Mario V.W.B.R. Obst. Known limitations and the use of each source are explained alongside the reference. A source-comparison date is not the publication date of the original source.