So sweet! Reddit user scribbles on ice-cream sticks to heal depressed girlfriend

A Reddit user found an innovative and adorable way to help his girlfriend who suffers from “crippling depression and anxiety”.

Studies say shock therapy (ECT), drugs, exercise, fragrance of Damask rose, yoga and Tai Chi help cure depression. What they don’t tell you is how to be there for someone suffering from the mental ailment.

‘Bovadeez’ posted this image on Reddit to tell people how he was trying to help his girlfriend who is suffering from depression. (Picture courtesy: Reddit/Bovadeez)

Users on Reddit, a website that aggregates content which is then rated by users called Redditors, have praised a man’s “really beautiful, lovely” idea to help his girlfriend who suffers from “crippling depression and anxiety”

Reddit user Bovadeez used colour-coded ice-cream sticks scribbled with quotes, reminders and ‘things to help her relax’, and bundled them together in a mason jar. He even left some sticks blank for his girlfriend to write her good memories on when she’s feeling low.

The motivational quotes and words of encouragement can help a person in depression relax and steer their mind towards positive thoughts or memories.

Redditors called Bovadeez’s ”really great idea” and “up-voted” his post more than 14,000 times. “That is really beautiful, a lovely model to follow! I hope (and trust) that it helps with such a frustrating and mysterious condition... She is lucky to have you,” said a user GuyDeSmiley. The post had over 350 comments.

Others shared their struggle with PTSD and depression, and thanked Bovadeez for “deciding to help her instead of treat her like a burden”.

Depression affects 121 million people worldwide, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates. More than 8.5 lakh (850,000) people die from suicide each year, which roughly corresponds to one death every 40 seconds. It’s among the top 10 causes of deaths across the world.

The ailment is caused by an imbalance in brain chemistry, which be triggered suddenly or over time by genetics, changes in hormone levels, chronic illnesses, stress, grief or difficult circumstances. Depression can affect a person’s ability to work, form relationships and often causes physical symptoms such as sleeplessness and listlessness. It can be managed with medicines and therapy.