How can I convince my boyfriend to get help with his depression?

hum...Honestly it is really hard to say...i would say talk to his family to see if they can get him to go or a intervention type of thing...Its hard to say cause you never said how he feels about you..you sounds like you love him alot, would he not do it for you? Depression can be tricky depending on the person but it only can get worse....If he doesnt think going to a doctor or therapist will work then what harm will it do by just trying...He does need help but if he wont be willing to get it then it makes it hard...Maybe the best option is to give him a choice stay with you and get help or your gonna leave him, cause obviously you dont wanna stick around and watch him suffer......

Get over it. He'll get help when he's good and ready or when he has to.

sit him down and talk to him seriously about it. Let him know you honestly care about him and are willing to stick it out and help him, that you're not going anywhere. The "what kind of girlfriend would I be if I just ran away when you needed me most?" point of view worked well for me, and got the message across that I was serious. Tell him you'd atleast like for him to give it a try and that he's got nothing to lose by atleast trying. Before you talk to him do some research on doctors he can go to (in regards to what his insurance will cover, and who would be good for this type of problem). Even take the initiative and say you'll contact them and make the appointment and that all he has to do is go with you and listen to what they have to say (that's what I ended up doing with my bf). and I know that you're getting a little more worn out each day but that is precisely why you must step back from the situation and take time for yourself. Plan a day with a girlfriend or family member and try your best to just relax and have a good day. Coming back to the situation refreshed and with new eyes can always help you to see new solutions and ideas that were hidden to you before. I know that his words and actions can be very hurtful, but you just have to tell yourself that it isn't really him. Constant reminder of that will help in keeping strong. Don't let the behavior slide though, you need to be open and let him know that what he's doing is making you feel bad, but don't make a huge deal out of it. My bf and I have code words, when I tell him he's being snippy or ugly he knows that he needs to reign in his attitude a bit cause he's being mean. The depression is the foe here, not your loved one. You guys need to develop a "we" motto to fighting his depression as it is always an easier journey if you have someone to help and be there. But you must be willing to stick through it with him, it's not a responsibility to take on lightly as there is always the possibility that he will take steps backwards in his recovery which are always tough to deal with, and recovery is a long process. When in a situation like this, you kind of have to put yourself on hold and remember that you're in this for them. A good recovery motto can be taken from Bob the Builder... "can WE do it? Yes WE can!" I know it's corny, but any little motivation helps right? Keep your head up hun, you'll get through it. Getting help is the first step, and I'm not gonna lie, the first few weeks are the hardest because things get stirred up that the depressed person purposely buried away, things they were hiding and trying to not have to face. But once you're over that hill and onto stabilizing meds (antidepressants and antianxiety meds for example) then it's onto recovery. :) Sorry so long I tend to get carried away haha.

I don't know crap about depression, can't help ya there but maybe you two need to join a gym, get some exercise, go running. And find something that makes ya happy. Spring is on its way. Good luck.

I'm sorry I didn't read it all because it was too long and got dizzy. I did read the first part however. You can't help someone who doesn't want to help themselves. (You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink). I know what is like to go through depression, its not pretty. But I managed to do it on my own. I'm bipolar and Its been almost a year without falling into depression. Why is he depressed? He is living in a great country, he has people who care for him and his healthy. Tell someone in a poop country why they are sad, they are sad cuz their family died of hunger, they're sick, they're children are sick and hungry and even than they're not depressed. <<That's what got me through it, stop thinking about myself and see how stupid my depression seemed compared to others. If I cured myself from a 3-year-depression at my teen years with simple positive thoughts I don't see why he can't. I'm 19, unemployed, bipolar and even right now I'm not sad. He needs to appreciate the good things in life and stop focusing on the bad ones. I thank God every day for my family, my mom, my dad, my sister, brother etc.... my friends. If I have them, nothing else is missing. You don't need anything material in this life to be happy. I had to called the suicidal hotline once, but look at me today. Depression is only an Idea, is nothing physical. All the things in the world can be fixed, every single thing, expect death. And tell him that if he thinks of killing himself, he is a selfish SOB because he is not thinking of you, of his family, and of his friends. Running away from the problems don't solve nothing, they triple them. Suicide is for cowards and I learned that the hard way when I almost die in a car accident, since then, everyday seems like a great day for me even the bad ones. That changed my prospective about life. You can always squeeze a good thing from every bad situation. But he is the one who needs to find it. And of course anti-depressants are an option too, since they help release the "happy" substance to the brain. I never used them though. But people seem to respond to those medicines. Good luck :)

does he want to get better, what would ghe do if you left him, is he only manipulating you?

I stopped reading after your boyfriend said statements like "what do I have to live for" and "the world will be better off without me." Those are classic signs that someone is about to commit suicide and it is a way of crying out for help. You could probably call some sort of hot line or a doctor's office which will direct you where to ask for help. Keep a very close eye on him. In the meanwhile try to get him to go outside and do some aerobic exercise. Sunlight and aerobic exercise have been proven to help people suffering from depression immensely. Try to get him occupied in some sort of hobby. Get a cheap guitar or encourage him to write down how he feels on paper. Drawing is good too. Also get him dietary supplements. omega 3 and st. johns wort. st. john's wort has also been proven to be an effective antidepressant and i can't remember about the omega 3. Google it. But above all, he desperately needs professional help so find some way to get it. Friends and family can have a huuuuuge positive impact on depression.