Depression

Depression is when a person feels sad, lonely, down, anxious, apathetic, exhausted or stressed for long periods of time.

Depression can prevent you from doing normal things like going to school, doing your job, seeing friends or interacting with your family.

Take action: Being kind to yourself, keeping active and challenging your low mood (for example, by exercising even though you feel tired) are all ways you can take action against depression. Get more self help for depression from Mind.

Treatment for depression

Different treatments can help including exercise, talking therapies and medication. 

There are also positive steps you can take to look after your own mental health.

Take action: Find out more about depression from Oxfordshire CAMHS. 

Symptoms of Depression

• feeling sad or anxious most of the time
• not wanting to do things that you previously enjoyed
• feeling hopeless, tired and not having any energy

Depression can be a reaction to stresses such as bereavement, bullying, or family troubles. But it can also happen without any cause. 

Most people recover from depression. Some people benefit from long-term treatment.

Overcoming depression

Lots of successful people have at one time or another had depression.

In collaboration with WHO to mark World Mental Health Day, writer and illustrator Matthew Johnstone tells the story of overcoming the "black dog of depression".

Helping yourself

However you feel, it is important to be kind to yourself and take care of yourself. This includes things like:

• Getting enough sleep and eating regular, healthy meals
• Dressing well and taking care of yourself
• Get fresh air, exercise, socialise, and do new things

Being depressed can make it very hard to do these things. But it is important to keep doing things that will help.

Instant help: Do you feel like you have been frozen by depression, or like everything you think of doing is a bad idea? Accept the feeling (panic, anxiety, misery). Calm your mind (count ten slow breaths). Take action do something (anything) positive. You can find lots more worksheets and practical help on Students Against Depression.

Getting Help

You can make great progress helping yourself. But many people find it helps to talk to someone. 

• Talk to someone in your family you trust
• Talk to a teacher or the school health nurse
• Talk to a trusted adult, like someone at a club or sports activity

If you feel things are overwhelming or that talking is not helping, more help is available. 

• Make an appointment to talk to your GP (doctor)
• You can talk to your school or college health nurse
• You can call Childline on 0800 11 11

Talking to other people is a great idea and can be helpful. 

Crucial: Your school or college nurse service can provide 1:1 support, advice, somewhere to chat and signposting to other services. They are available all year round, not just during school term. Call 07312 263084 or email SHN.oxfordshire@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

A teenage problem?

In teenage years there are changes to the mind and body that make it harder to control emotions and which make emotions more intense. This means some young people are more at risk from serious reactions to being unhappy like self-harm and suicide. 

If you get so unhappy that you feel at risk, it is important to get help right away. Tell an adult you trust or your school health nurse.

If you need to talk to a helpline, all these can help:

• Papyrus   
• Childline
• Young Minds
• CALM