How do you get someone to seek help that you know is depressed?

QUESTION:

Dear Dr. Heller,

How do you get someone to seek help that you know is depressed?

ANSWER:

It's crucial for you to recognize that the person is suffering from a brain disorder and may be feeling very helpless, in addition to being exhausted.  The following tools are what I recommend in my practice:

• The Newsletter I use about depression can be found at:  http://www.BiologicalUnhappiness.com/DeprsQ&A.htm
  
  
• There is an incredible picture of the brain depressed versus recovered at:   http://www.NIMH.nih.gov/hotsci/scandep.htm
  
  
• The official criteria for depression can be found at:  http://www.BiologicalUnhappiness.com/DSMdpres.htm