Info, Events and Training Mental Health Support Looking after your mental health Tips for coping and living with depression Download our factsheet Depression is a term that is commonly used when feeling down, sad and low. However, as an illness, depression is where you have symptoms that are persistent and are having an impact on your everyday life. These persistent symptoms may tend to last for months, which in the long term isn’t healthy. Depression can affect anyone and presents at different levels - mild, moderate and severe. Symptoms of depression There are many symptoms of depression which may include: Excessive tiredness Hopelessness/despair Prolonged sadness Guilt, shame and remorse Lack of interest/careless Lack of confidence and self-esteem Withdrawal/isolation Suicidal thoughts Avoidance Stress and irritability Causes of depression There’s no single cause of depression. It can occur for a variety of reasons and it has many different triggers. However, you can also become depressed for what may seem like no obvious reason. The following could be triggers or causes of depression: Life-changing events, such as bereavement, relationship breakdown, losing your job, financial difficulties or giving birth If someone else in your family has it (that does not mean you definitely will get the illness, but you are at a greater risk) Your environment, home life, the community in which you live, living with an abusive relationship, isolation Good news – there is help available! Depression can and does have a significant impact on your life. However, the good news is that people can make a full recovery, and most do with the right treatment and support. If you think you may have depression, it is first of all important to speak with your GP. They will ask you some questions, and if this leads to a diagnosis, they may offer some treatment options. This could be: Medication Counselling Exercise referral Referral to community mental health team Referral to voluntary and community services Other things you can do to help yourself Attend local support groups Re-establishing routine Counselling, either formal or informal Staying connected with others Helplines such as Lifeline 0808 808 8000 Volunteering or developing new skills – this keeps the mind active and increases confidence Healthy eating Practice breathing – there are various appsthat can help you do this e.g. “What’s Up” App(available in Play Store) Exercise – ideally something you find fun and enjoy Library – self-help books, including the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Mindfulness and meditation Recovery College NI – each trust area has a recovery college, check out more details on the website by googling Belfast Recovery College. Finding a service for you You can locate details of the Extern's mental health services which may be near you here. Manage Cookie Preferences <148.105.251.16>