For our Everyday Spirituality column, we’ve recruited a panel of Atlanta’s spiritual leaders representing a variety of spiritual and religious backgrounds, and each quarter, we ask them a question we think you might want to ask. You can give us your feedback along with any suggestions for future questions by emailing [email protected].

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I’m concerned about my friend who suffers from severe depression. They are working with a professional, but how can I help, too?

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STUART HIGGINBOTHAM

It is important to honor the full spectrum of what health means within human life. We are complex, and there are no easy or quick solutions to many of the struggles we face. On some level, we are all seeking relief and peace.

While our many wisdom traditions may understand our personhood in distinct ways, there is a sacred and common awareness of our need to nurture health and wholeness in all areas of our lives. Each person has a sacred worth that should be honored.

When it comes to our search for health, we tend to our bodies, our souls, our hearts and our connection to Spirit—all the interwoven aspects of our being. When there is pain and suffering, it is important to consider the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of our struggle. We must consider the fullness of our existence.

By honoring our emotional and spiritual health as well as our physical health, we nurture a sense of self-worth. We affirm who we are, and we honor the places in our lives where we struggle and yearn for healing. 

Once we have grounded ourselves in this posture of integrated being, affirming our worth and acknowledging the complexity of our lives, I believe we can then look toward specific ways of being present to one another as we wrestle and yearn for healing. We can respond with specific supportive actions from an awareness of connection while resisting any impulse to control.

Being a supportive presence in this way invites a level of honesty that is deeply healing in itself. We act out of an awareness of our union with one another, honoring the dignity of every human being. Practicing such presence is a holy act. 

Specific assistance might be called for, especially in terms of making sure people are safe. It may be important to consult resources to offer intentional care.  Through it all, it is important to find clarity, and our awareness of the connection of life can offer hope in times of struggle.

The Rev. Dr. Stuart Higginbotham is an Episcopal priest, retreat leader, and poet. He serves as rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville, Georgia. His ministry focuses on nurturing spiritual imagination and contemplative practices within communities. His latest book, Bones of Light: Poems of Spiritual Imagination, is a collection of poetry.

SATHYAN PARTHASARATHY

When a friend shares that they are struggling with depression or even thoughts of ending their life, it can leave us feeling helpless. We want to say the right thing, to lift them out of the darkness, but often we do not know how. In these moments, what truly helps is connection, presence, and a gentle restoration of inner energy.

My spiritual teacher, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, offers a perspective that helps us understand this more clearly. He reminds us that such states are not a personal failure, but a deep depletion of prana, our life-force energy. When this energy is low, the mind loses its resilience, and what once felt manageable becomes overwhelming. The mind gets trapped in a repetitive thought loop of “What about me? What will happen to me?” and this deepens isolation.

What helps in this situation is to bring about a gentle shift by expanding their awareness toward a greater realization: You are needed. You matter to the people around you. When a person begins to feel useful, even in a small way, something within them starts to awaken. From this understanding, some ways we can support them emerge.

Be present and stay connected


We do not assume someone else will help. We reach out, check in and connect. If we notice they are not doing well, we can pause and simply ask, “How are you doing?” This simple connection can remind them they are not alone.

Help restore energy through the body and breath


When prana is low, everything feels heavier. Instead of trying to change their thoughts, we can help shift their state. We can invite them for a short walk, light yoga or a few minutes of breathing or meditation. As energy rises, the mind becomes clearer, and hope begins to return.

Gently widen their perspective


When someone has deep depression or suicidal thoughts, their world becomes very small. We do not dismiss their pain, but we can remind them that life is bigger than this moment. We can help them take a small step outward by helping someone in need or getting involved in community service. Even a slight shift from “What about me?” to “How can I help?” can bring relief.

Bring in faith and the ability to let go


Sometimes the mind is carrying more than it can manage. We can remind our friend that they do not have to solve everything right now. It is okay to let go of their worry. Letting go does not mean giving up; it means recognizing that not everything is in our control. Whether we call it faith, trust or surrender, there is strength in knowing we are supported in ways we may not always see.

Our presence can become an anchor that supports our friend when everything else feels uncertain. And sometimes, what saves a life is not a solution, but a genuine human connection that supports and cares. ❧

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Sathyan Parthasarathy is a breathwork and meditation instructor with the Art of Living Foundation. With over 25 years of personal meditation experience, he teaches programs that build resilience, clarity and well-being. His work focuses on practical, time-tested techniques that help individuals manage stress and live with greater purpose and joy.