@cmoon3155

Welcome to Mayo Connect. It can be very emotional when dealing with a family member with depression. You can make suggestions, but as an adult, your son has to be willing to accept those suggestions. I had a sister who suffered from depression but refused to acknowledge. She was very defensive when the issue was raised. I asked if she had discussed with her primary, and her response was "I do not have a problem".

You might read this article for suggestions:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression/art-20045943
Do you care to share more information?
Does your son acknowledge he has a problem?
Is he currently being treated by a therapist or medications?

You should also verify what type of mental health benefits his insurance has since they may have a referral line already setup for beneficiaries.

My husband has depression. It came on quickly when he retired. Hindsight...he had had episodes before but being a workaholic kept things at bay. It has been ten years since he retired. I have found sadly, he must do everything needed for his depression himself. Because of his depression he feels I am not supportive enough. I have suggested, researched, tried to be helpful etc. but his depression leaves him stymied and with lack of impetus to do anything. I also find there can be a fine line between being helpful and enabling. It can be a vicious cycle.

Has your son sought out any form of help/treatment for his depression?

If a person denies depression, you cannot force them at all to seek treatment.

Does your son have any hobbies? Does he drink alcohol? What does he do for living? You cannot assume he has depression, unless there is some kind of evidential symptoms that you noticed in him?
Do not nag him to seek help, as it will make things worst.
VJ

I have fought ADHD, depression and anxiety. A friend suggested a therapist that provides an alt treatment, using a device called an Alpha Stim. https://alpha-stim.com/
I was skeptical of the device at first but since buying it due to lack of insurance coverage, I never leave home without it. I use it for anxiety but it also works for depression, and insomnia.

Medication is easy to get but has long term side effects, dependence. Seeing the side effects to breast cancer treatment, everything else I do is fight. You have to admit there is a problem which takes much self awareness.
Start with therapy first, before jumping into medications.

I am going to share my story with you. The one thing I will say is you cannot push, push, push to force him into seeking help. My story:

I have an adult son (26) who has ASD, ADHD, anxiety and depression (diagnosed at age 10). He has been in a spiral for about 6 years now, do to a very traumatic event that had a negative impact on us both. I have gently suggested he go see somebody for help. His response was he doesn't want to be on medications as they don't let him feel. Recently, things have gotten more mentally stressful for both of us. I have been seeing somebody and am on meds. I suggested, about 2 weeks ago, he go see somebody. I brought the intake forms home with me. He finally filled them out acknowledging he needs to do something.