When you are dealing a significant other who is depressed, they are usually going to live in an environment that is not conducive to getting better. This is a pitfall of depression, that it can be environmentally-based but as you become more and more depressed you become more and more apathetic towards your environment a real catch-22. How you help them fix this is a key to their getting better. However, it could require more domestic work than you are comfortable with, or than you signed up for.

The first thing that you need to evaluate is the cleanliness of their living space. Things to look for are garbage all over the place, dirty dishes piling up, clothes strewn all over the floor, things that are clearly out of place. See how messy they are, and try to figure out if they have always been this way. If they have, it will be harder to break them of these habits but it is still essential. A clean living area will help reduce stress and will give your significant other a start towards getting better. Depending on how much time you spend there, it will also help you to stay healthy. Get them to start cleaning up, with you directing and assisting. Make sure that they are putting things in a space where the items can live permanently. Stopgap cleaning, while temporarily helpful, will not improve the situation.