[aprgeo12]

My husband has been unemployed for about a year now.....he has handled it well so far. He collects unemployment and does a little side work so we can make ends meet. He took some time from the side work to seriously look for work....but didn't really look....not seriously anyway. So, he went back to doing the side work this week and has come right out and told me he is depressed and when talking to me he is in tears. I don't know what to do to help him.

[CHANDLERS WISH]

Depression is real.

It's not something that you can stop automatically, it's life change that creates it or, something very deep inside, a death, a break-up, something very emotional.

He needs to see a Doctor, to firstly keep the depression at bay as not to grow stronger, deeper to the point of no return.

Then he needs you to just be there for him and let him slowly get out of it with encouragement of where he was before and where he will be again... No negativity.

He possibly doesn't feel like "the man" you are only making ends meat and probably hard, suffering a little as well. And, this has got him down, to the point where he "wants" to do better for his family and "tried" but mentally he's not able / capable of believing in himself.

That's why you have to take him back to his past, and his future and also let him see that it's everywhere, not him, it's everywhere, it's hard to find jobs and it's okay.

Guide him slowly into what he wants to do and then encourage him, not nag, that he can do it...

But, I think the first step is to see a Doctor and get a little help with the depression, tears means he's falling... and so he needs help.

Also consider, even if you have children, what you may be able to do to assist financially yourself, part time..

Take some pressure off of him.

CW

[LanaBear]

I agree with CW, the more he talks, hopefully the more it will help. But he DOES need to go in and see a Dr., a professional who can help him navigate those rough waters.

[WildChild]

The problem here is that if he's been unemployed for a year, they may not have insurance and doctors cost money. Are there any support groups, jobretraining programs or any thing like that, that might be able to refer you to some resources?

[Joy]

This can easily happend - especially if he is unemployed and doesn't feel like his life is moving forward.

Exercise and diet will help with this - get him out walking and walking off the emotions that are building up on him. Diet plays a key role in helping manage depression.

Proper sleeping schedule

Journalling so he can get to root of the issue or issue's that are surfacing in his life.

Remember to take good care of yourself in all this - Its too easy to give your life over to getting your husband on his feet emotionally and draining yourself. Remember to good things for both of you.

Dr's will suggest meds but check out Natural Medicine that deal with accupuncture and pressure points in the body. Everything is worth a look to help your husband get on his feet emotionally