Depression is such a serious topic that a short comment in a weekly blog can only be superficial. This would not help those who suffer the deep sense of sadness or lack of connection with others. However, if you become aware of someone suffering depression, perhaps the following will be beneficial.
If one is truly grounded in their faith tradition, then seeking a practitioner of that faith may be helpful. However, if a suffering person carries a seed of doubt of their faith, the aphorisms and rule-driven theologies may seem facile and be unhelpful. A better approach may be to accompany the person to a licensed and theologically neutral therapist who can guide them.
As a Buddhist, I would listen to them with compassion and loving-kindness, and stay with them giving unconditional support while encouraging them to seek assistance from other loving souls who have the appropriate therapeutic skills.
Over 2,500 years ago, the Buddha gave this prayer: "May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind quickly be freed from their illnesses. May those frightened cease to be afraid and may those bound be free. May the powerless find power and may people think of befriending each other. May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wilderness - the children, the aged, the unprotected - be guarded by beneficent souls, and may they swiftly attain peace."
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