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Depression · Professional support

Help them get support for depression

Offer help with making the appointment, getting there or explaining what has been happening. Let them choose the help they want.

Choose the route by urgencyUse their existing mental-health team if they have one. For non-urgent help, support them to contact a GP or self-refer where available. If help cannot wait, use the urgent help for their UK nation. You can call about someone else even if you do not know their GP or service.

An adult usually needs to agree to assessment and treatment. You can encourage them and offer practical help, but usually cannot make them accept it. If they refuse, you can still tell their GP or team what you have noticed and ask for advice. Read what you can do if they refuse help and how consent works. If help cannot wait, seek urgent advice without waiting for their agreement.

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Are they under 18? This guide is about supporting an adult. Start with support for children and teenagers. If you are under 18 and supporting someone else, see young-carer rights and support.

Where to start

Their GP

A GP can discuss what has been happening, consider physical and mental-health causes, talk through treatment and refer to other services where appropriate.

You could offer to help book the appointment, write down the main points, attend if they want you there, or wait outside and help them get home afterwards.[2]

NHS Talking Therapies in England

Adults in England can refer themselves to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression without a diagnosis. It is normally available from age 18, and from 16 or 17 in some areas. Some services accept people who are not registered with a GP.

Find NHS Talking Therapies

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use different routes. Start with their GP or the relevant national NHS information service.[3]

Getting help in later life

Tell the GP about physical health, pain, sleep and medicines as well as mood. Ask whether physical causes or side effects need checking. If medical problems prevent a surgery visit, ask how to request a home visit; the practice assesses what is needed. Older age alone is not a reason to rule out talking therapy.

Help with appointments and support for an older parent.

This addition checked 8 October 2026 against NHS assessment guidance, Age UK GP guidance and RCPsych later-life depression guidance.

Prepare for the appointment

  1. Put the main concern first. What has changed and how long has it been happening?
  2. Note the day-to-day effect. Sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, work, relationships and ordinary tasks.
  3. Include safety concerns. Record any thoughts of self-harm, suicide or feeling unable to stay safe.
  4. Agree what help they want from you. Notes, transport, company, or help speaking during the appointment.

They do not have to tell their whole life story before asking for help. Use the meeting-notes option to collect questions and record what is agreed.[4]

Going into the appointment

Ask what role they want you to have. They may want you to sit quietly, help explain changes you have observed, prompt them from notes, ask an agreed question, or wait outside.

The appointment is about them. Avoid speaking over them or answering every question unless they ask you to.[5]

What treatment may involve

The NHS says treatment may include talking therapy, medication, practical or social support, or a combination, depending on the person and the severity of their symptoms. The decision belongs to the person and the clinician.

For questions about antidepressants, side effects, missed doses or stopping, use NHS or Royal College of Psychiatrists information and speak to the person's prescriber or a pharmacist.

NHS depression treatmentNHS antidepressantsStopping antidepressants

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Ask about behavioural activation

This is a structured treatment that helps someone work towards meaningful activities when depression has led them to withdraw. NICE includes it among depression treatment options. Ask the clinician whether it could suit them and, with their agreement, how you could support the plan at home. Offering company is different from delivering therapy yourself.[7]

If there is a wait

Help them confirm what happens next and who to contact if things worsen. Keep ordinary, low-pressure contact going and offer manageable practical help. If they become unsafe, use urgent or emergency help.[8]

Confidentiality

With the person's consent, a professional may be able to include you in parts of a conversation or care plan. Without consent, they may be unable to discuss the person's care with you. They can still listen to relevant concerns, although they may need to tell the patient where important information came from.[9]

Confidentiality: what you can tell the care team and what they may share.

Related help
Day-to-day supportIf they will not accept help
Sources and how this guide was written

  1. Opening advice

    Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and NHS urgent-help guidance.

    Back to the advice

  2. Their GP

    Mind: helping someone else seek help.

    Back to the advice

  3. NHS Talking Therapies in England

    NHS Talking Therapies eligibility and self-referral information.

    Back to the advice

  4. Prepare for the appointment

    The preparation points are based on Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.

    Back to the advice

  5. Going into the appointment

    Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.

    Back to the advice

  6. What treatment may involve

    NHS treatment information, NICE guideline NG222 and Royal College of Psychiatrists.

    Back to the advice

  7. Ask about behavioural activation

    Sources: NICE: depression treatment options.

    Back to the advice

  8. If there is a wait

    Mind and NHS urgent-help guidance.

    Back to the advice

  9. Confidentiality

    GMC confidentiality guidance.

    Back to the advice

Last full source check: 26 August 2026

Consent and seeking advice wording checked: 7 October 2026. Sources and explanation.

Later checks: Addition using NICE depression treatment guidance checked: 23 September 2026. Help-route wording checked: 1 October 2026.

Independent information, not a medical or crisis service. This guidance has not been clinically reviewed. How we use sources.

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