Depression is a mental health condition that can affect thinking, feeling, energy and behaviour. It can be mild or severe and can have a big impact on every aspect of someone’s life (e.g. relationships, education, work, etc.)
Depression is a mental health condition that can affect thinking, feeling, energy and behaviour. It can be mild or severe and can have a big impact on every aspect of someone’s life (e.g. relationships, education, work, etc.)
Depression affects 1 in 10 people at any one time and can affect anyone regardless of their age, gender or background.
Signs of depression include:
- Feeling sad, guilty or anxious
- Losing interest in life or activities once enjoyed
- Having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Feeling tired and not having a lot of energy
- Experiencing low self-esteem
- Having trouble concentrating
- Experiencing physical aches and pains for no apparent reason
Depression can be something someone experiences on and off again throughout their lives, but it can also happen if you do not have any history of depression. This can happen at a time of stress, loss or a big change in your life.
A person can experience depression alongside other mental health issues. Some examples are Addiction, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Autism and many others.
Recovery from depression is possible, but early intervention, treatment and support are key. If you think you might have depression, get help by speaking to your GP or a mental health professional. You can also find support by talking to a parent, carer, good friend or someone else you trust.
Talking about how you feel when you are feeling depressed is really important. Some other things to try are
Some other things to try are:
- Mindfulness - Taking anywhere from 3 minutes to 30 minutes in our day to practice mindfulness can help improve our wellbeing and happiness.
- Exercise - going for a walk or playing a sport can help boost hormones and chemicals in our bodies that help when we are feeling depressed.
- Keeping a Mood Journal - writing down our feelings has been proven to help give structure to our emotions. Being able to look back on how we feel can also help to show us that moods pass and we won’t always feel happy or sad for long.
- Taking up a new hobby or revisiting an old one like reading, playing video games or drawing.
- racticing Gratitude - Writing down or saying 5 things you are grateful for each day can help depression in the long term. This can be anything from being grateful for getting to have our favourite cereal for breakfast to grateful the sun is shining.
More support and information:
Aware provides information and support to people experiencing depression and their family members.
Website: aware.ie
If you’re thinking about suicide or self-harm or if you need help right away, call 999 or 112
There are also specific support lines that you can call:
Samaritans Ireland – 116 123
Pieta House – 1800 247 247
Childline can also be contacted by any child or young person by calling 1800 66 66 66, texting to 50101 or chatting online at Childline.ie 24 hours a day, every day.
