Depression

Depression is a mental health condition that causes long-lasting sadness, low energy, and loss of interest in life.
It affects how you think, feel, and cope with daily activities.

Depression is common, real, and treatable, especially with support from the NHS and mental health professionals.

It is not weakness. It is an illness — and help works.

• Ongoing low mood most days
   
• Lasts weeks or months
   
• Affects daily life
   

• Long-term low mood (2+ years)
   
• Less severe, but ongoing
   

• After childbirth
   
• Affects parents emotionally and physically
   

• Depression linked to winter / low sunlight
   

• After loss, illness, trauma, or major stress
   

Depression affects mind, body, and behaviour:

✅ Persistent sadness
✅ Feeling empty or numb
✅ Hopelessness
✅ Guilt or worthlessness
✅ Loss of interest
✅ Negative thoughts

✅ Extreme tiredness
✅ Sleep problems (too much / too little)
✅ Appetite changes
✅ Aches and pains
✅ Low energy

✅ Withdrawing from others
✅ Avoiding activities
✅ Neglecting self-care
✅ Crying often
✅ Loss of motivation

If symptoms last more than 2 weeks, support is important.
 

Depression usually develops from several factors together:

🧬 Family history
😞 Loss, trauma, stress
🩺 Long-term illness or disability
😴 Poor sleep
💊 Medication effects
🍺 Alcohol/drugs
🤍 Loneliness
📉 Life pressures

It is never your fault.

Most people improve with the right care.

• CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy)
   
• Counselling
   
• Trauma therapy
   

• Antidepressants (when needed)
   
• Prescribed and monitored by doctors
   

• Regular sleep routine
   
• Gentle exercise
   
• Healthy meals
   
• Daily structure
   
• Reducing alcohol
   

• Music therapy
   
• Relaxation routines
   
• Mindfulness
   
• Journaling
   
• Nature time
   

Small steps = real progress.

Try this once or twice a day:

Write or think of:

1️⃣ One thing you did today
2️⃣ One thing you’re grateful for
3️⃣ One thing you’ll try tomorrow

➡️ This helps retrain the brain away from negativity.

Please get help immediately if you:

❗ Feel life is not worth living
❗ Have thoughts of suicide
❗ Feel unsafe
❗ Are self-harming
❗ Feel completely hopeless

In the UK:
📞 Call 999 (emergency)
📞 Call 111 (urgent advice)

You deserve protection and care.

💙 Depression lies to you.
💙 It says “You’re weak” — but you are strong.
💙 It says “Nothing will change” — but it can.
💙 Recovery is possible.
 

You are not alone. You matter.