How do you instill hope into someone who has depression and thinks they can't get better?

By enabling empowerment for them to see what strengths they have you will be opening them up pathways to which they can walk through for their healing.

one way is by constantly reassuring them that you are there for them and that everything is going to be okay. Don't treat them differently just because they're depressed, instead treat them as you would any other day.

Show them that it is possible to get better. Tell them how they've improved already. Show your support for them - tell them that you believe that they can overcome depression.

You can't. It takes time and they first will want to get bettr as time goes by they will start to fel better but only if they have posotive people around them you can point out good thins in life and let them know everyone can get better but dont pantronize them

Agree and sympathize with them that what they're facing right now is tough and even if there is no guarantee everything will be ok and things will get better that you can promise that life has it's ups and downs and that they need to focus on the little things that make them smile even through these hard times. Let them know how confident you are in them that they will see an improvement in their mental health if they focus on the good.

Give them a hug and make sure they know they're not alone. Just hold them tight and promise them everything will be okay.

I think it helps to not try to be that person's savior. I understand the temptation as a friend or loved one to want to soothe or mitigate their suffering as they get their depression under management, but similar to this website, it's important to offer support and not solutions. In this way, hope seems to come from the sense that someone else understands their situation and perspective. It feels validated and real as opposed to something that others might accuse them of making up or exaggerating. Knowing that they have someone who sees their difficulty gives the sense that they aren't alone, which helps in its own way.

You could try showing them stories of other people who felt the exact same way, but did get better, sometimes that helps. You could also show support for them, that you're going to be there for them whether they get better or not.

I know it sounds impossible, but you need to keep reaching out for help and trying different things to get better. Something will work. It might be something big, it might be something strange, but something will work.

Let your friend know that you are there for them, and that you care for them. Sometimes, people just need to know that they have someone there to help them. Hopelessness can come from a feeling of loneliness. Help them figure out coping skills they could use when they are feeling down. Try to help them become more active and encourage them to get professional help if they feel it is necessary. Do not pressure them to do anything they are not comfortable with/share anything they are not comfortable with. Be patient with them and remind them that everything will be okay.