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

By being available with my time and unconditional love. No judgment or fear in anything that's revealed or said to frighten or shock you. The support needs to know that well being is not only a possibility, it's the only acceptable outcome. Everything takes time. By maintaining a light-hearted attitude yourself, it takes some of the heavy concern and tension out of the experience as there is much to be in motion for change and dense concerns introduce resistance where extra resistance is not helpful. Be social and demonstrating what joy feels like is really helpful. Play a bit, joke wherever possible and show the way. As I said, I had time to be fully immersed and give my love and carefreely. Support, appreciation of enjoyable activities and a socially uplifting environment is valuable to share with them.