“I am not going to give up until you’re okay”

“I admire you for fighting the pain every day, but you're not an army of one - you have a whole battalion of people ready to help, including me.”

“With help, your brain will stop telling you all this negative, horrible stuff. You won't have these thoughts when you're well.”

“That’s tough. Please keep talking, I’m listening”

“I know you would keep regular contact with me if our positions were reversed.”

“Do you want some company without having to talk?”

“With help, your brain will stop telling you all this negative horrible stuff. You won’t have these thoughts when you’re well. Hold on.”

“You’re not a burden even though your depression is telling you that you are.”

“I am here for you when you need practical support or someone to connect with.”

“I have noticed you look a bit better. Are you actually feeling better?”

“You don’t have to talk if it is too hard, but please do reply to one of my texts.”

“Don’t let your depression lie to you and say everything is negative and hopeless”

“Please don't shut me out when you are having a tough time”

“Are you able to remember what you read or watch on TV? If not, maybe you have depression. A checklist on BeyondBlue might help.”

“You are a good person and very much loved even though your mind is blocking any positives.”

“I would like to help – how can I make things easier for you?”

“Are you taking any deliberate risks?”

“This is not your fault and you’re not weak. You’re actually very strong for talking about it”

“I know there is a lot going on with some big life changes for you recently – how are you coping?”

“This awful pain will stop. Let's talk so we can get help.”

“The things you’re going through aren’t easy. It’s good we can talk about it.”

“I can do a few practical things for you if that would help?”

“You’re not alone, there is light in the world. Depression lies to you.”

“Can I help with shopping or cooking until this crisis passes?”

“I can’t pretend to know what you’re going through but I’m here for you”

“What can I do to make things a bit easier?”

“Take your time, I’m here for you”

“I want my children to have you in their lives. Please hold on”

“I understand that you are not feeling great at the moment but would dinner and a movie help?”

“Would you like me to come over and cook you a meal?”

“Do you want some company or a distraction?”

“Your life matters, no one can replace you. I am so thankful you were born.”

“We don’t have to talk if you’re not feeling great, we can just hang out together. Or you can just be here and have a quiet friendly place”

“I know this isn’t just in your head, it is very real and very painful. I think you’re handling it really well”

“Are you having short periods where the pain or suicidal ideas are less severe?”

“You have beautiful moments ahead of you that are waiting to be lived”

“You’re lovable and worthy – your brain is lying to you if it tells you otherwise.”

“What you’re going through must be exhausting”

“Your GP can give you medication to reduce the pain and try to stop these terrible thoughts”

“You haven’t been taking my calls. I’m concerned about you.”

“Getting up and starting your day is hard - I know - but I am here to help you make it a little easier”

“Please talk to me. A problem shared is a problem halved.”

“I’ve noticed you don’t really want to go outside anymore.”

“You are special and irreplaceable. That’s what you mean to me”

“I am concerned - would you like to talk?”

“Asking for help shows strength and courage and is not a sign of weakness.”

“I love you. You’re a great friend. You mean so much to me and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help you get through this.”

“I appreciate you for the following reasons:……….”

“I am here to support you any way you feel would be best.”

“I understand how hard depression can be, so please know that I am available for you at all times.”

“If you talk to me about your symptoms of depression and negative thoughts, sometimes that can make them less powerful.”

“I am so terribly sorry you’re going through this. I will keep helping or talking for as long as it takes.”

“I just want to tell you that you’re not alone. I'm here for you.”

“I’m sorry you got so hurt emotionally. Let me support you until the grief and pain gradually fade away.”

“Please know how much I care even though I don’t completely understand.”

“I’m not trying to minimise your experience but I know of other people who suffered from severe depression who are really well now - they cannot believe now they wanted to die then.”

“Asking for help shows strength and courage - not a sign of weakness”

“Please give me some practical job to do that will make your life easier”

“There are resources/services out there that can help you through this situation. Let me help connect you.”

“Your friends are all so grateful to have you in our lives, so we really want to help fight your depression.”

“You've been trying to handle all of this yourself. You know I'm here for you, but finding the right support will make a world of difference. Will you please let me help you with some resources?”

“If you think you're dealing with depression, you don’t have to struggle in silence. It’s important to me that you know I’m here to help.”

“Is there anything or any situation where your thoughts of suicide are less strong?”

“Can I help you get in touch with Lived Experience Australia or Roses in the Ocean, to talk to people who have been where you are at the moment?”

“Plenty of people have dark thoughts when they are at a really low point. They don't have to stay that way: let's keep talking until we find the right help.”

“I would like to call you at a certain time every day for a daily check in”

“I understand you aren’t feeling great at the moment but would a walk, dinner or a movie help?”

“I know this is a long road, and I'm with you for every step of it.”

“No matter how long it takes to feel like yourself again, I'm not going anywhere.”

“I'll be checking in every [day/three days/week] just to say hi, even if you aren't up for talking.”

“There's no deadline for feeling better—I'm happy to just be here while you heal.”

“I'm here for the long haul, through the good days and the heavy ones.”

“Progress isn't a straight line, and I'm committed to being here for the ups and the downs.”

“I'll keep reaching out because you matter to me, regardless of how you're feeling today.”

“I'm in your corner for the weeks and months ahead—however long you need.”

“You don't have to 'snap out of it' for me; I'm comfortable sitting with you for as long as it lasts.”

“I know healing takes time, and I'm happy to be your anchor throughout it.”

“I'm committed to checking in on you regularly so you never have to wonder if I'm still here.”

“Even if it takes a year to feel like yourself again, I'll still be right here beside you.”

“Take all the time you need—I'm not going anywhere, and I'm not getting tired.”

“I understand that some days will feel like two steps back, and I'll be here for those days too.”

“I'm here for as long as it takes for the world to feel bright again.”

“I'll keep the light on for you until you're ready to see it yourself.”

“My support doesn't have an expiration date.”

“I'm patient because you're worth the wait.”

“Whether it's weeks or months, I'm staying right here in your circle.”

“I'm not looking for a quick fix—I'm looking to walk this path with you.”

“Vibe check: energy 0–10?”

“No need to reply—just reminding you I'm in your corner 💛.”

“What's one tiny win today? I'll share mine too.”

“If tonight gets loud, aim for 'safe and rested'. I'll text in the morning.”

“I set a reminder to message after your GP appt—want a lift?”

“Weather's decent tomorrow—10-min walk after lunch?”

“Brain noisy? Press play on that calming track—twinsies.”

“Proud of you for being honest—it helps me support you better.”

“Seen at 3pm: thinking of you—free later to talk if you want.”

“Long road, not a lonely one. One hour at a time—we've got this.”

“I'd like to help you understand what support is available now that you've been through this. There are more options than you might think.”

“Can I help you keep a follow-up appointment with your doctor or mental health team? I'll come with you and help you remember what to ask.”

“I want to help you put together a crisis plan for next time things get this dark — not because I think it will happen again, but because having it ready makes the risk much smaller.”

“I'm going to check in every day for the next month. Because you matter to me and I want to do this.”

“The hospital or clinic may have given you a discharge plan. Can we go through it together so we both understand what support is in place?”

“I'd like to help you identify two or three people we can add to your support network — people who know what you've been through and can be contacted in a future crisis.”

“Can we talk about what warning signs to watch for — things that tell us things are getting harder again — so we can act earlier next time?”

“I have been reading that it is very important that we meet or talk within 24 hours of you leaving the hospital. Let’s organise how we make sure this happens each day for a while.”