I need help now
Do you need to speak to someone about your emotional wellbeing?
We all have times where we feel low or sad sometimes but depression is different.
Depression is more than feeling unhappy for a few days – it can last for long periods of time and can get in the way of your day to day life. The bad thoughts can seem impossible to overcome and make it hard to do normal everyday things.
Depression is not a sign of weakness. It is not something you should be expected to ‘snap out of’. It is a common problem and it is easily treated with the right support.
What causes it?
- Life events such as the death of a loved one can trigger depression.
- Some people have a history of depression in their family – they may be more likely to experience it themselves.
- Some people can become depressed for no clear reason. This is just as valid as those who have experienced an upsetting event or who have a history of it.
How does it feel?
We think of depression meaning feeling sad, but it can affect your life in other ways too:
- Changes your eating or sleeping habits
- Makes it hard to concentrate or remember things
- Changes how you feel – you might feel more irritable, agitated, weepy or lonely than usual
- Makes you feel hopeless as you may lack motivation
- Makes you lose interest in things you usually enjoy
- Makes you think more negatively than usual
How can I get help?
You may find it helpful to speak to a professional about your feelings and behaviours.
Find out more about how to access our Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health services.
Click here if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or feel as though you can’t keep yourself or others around safe.
Helpful resources
Resources for if you are feeling low