I think it's difficult to really help others beyond a degree, as they have to get help themselves (this is based on personal experience, I am a severe depressive.)
I think the best you can do is to show them that you understand the illness, share your own experiences and describe things that helped you in the hopes it might help them.
Overall I feel the key advice is to see your doctor. Get help, go + get the most help you can, and don't be ashamed by it. I have got so much better and dealt with things so much better with the help of my doctor and others. No need to go through it all alone.
I've been tempted to write something about my experience with depression recently, but have been worried about the impact it might have on my hire-ability as there is such a stigma to mental illness (I've even been wary of commenting on HN on the subject, in the past.) The sad and tragic news about Aaron tempts me to go ahead and write it in the hopes that maybe somebody will find it useful.
I think the best you can do is to show them that you understand the illness, share your own experiences and describe things that helped you in the hopes it might help them.
Overall I feel the key advice is to see your doctor. Get help, go + get the most help you can, and don't be ashamed by it. I have got so much better and dealt with things so much better with the help of my doctor and others. No need to go through it all alone.
I've been tempted to write something about my experience with depression recently, but have been worried about the impact it might have on my hire-ability as there is such a stigma to mental illness (I've even been wary of commenting on HN on the subject, in the past.) The sad and tragic news about Aaron tempts me to go ahead and write it in the hopes that maybe somebody will find it useful.