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Depression

There are many levels of depression and at some point everybody encounters a general feeling of low spirits. Lack of confidence or low self esteem can make it difficult to concentrate or lead to self blame or feeling emotional and tearful. Treating depression needs to be more that just 'snapping out of it'. The first step in fighting it is to understand what it is, how it affects you and what causes it.

Everyday blues is more common than you might imagine and people may experience more than one symptom on any given one day, however this does not mean that there are serious mental health problems. Symptoms do not usually last more that week or two (without an obvious trigger), and they do not normally interfere too much with our lives. However, depression is much more powerful and unpleasant than the short periods of unhappiness and can last for months rather than days or weeks. It is difficult to realise how depressed you are if it happens gradually. Some people may be determined to struggle on while others may blame themselves for being week or lazy.

Depression is not a form of weakness and it is not just a point where you have 'given in'. The fact is that, it can happen to the most determined people. If you feel that you would like some help on this issue or someone to talk through things with then there are a number of contacts below that will point you in the right direction:

Juan Punzano, Vice President Education and Welfare
Liverpool Hope Students' Union - Derwent House
For a friendly face & signposting to appropriate services
0151 291 3651
vpres@hope.ac.uk

University Counselling Service
Confidential, individual counselling for problems affecting students' work and wellbeing. Offers individual counselling, group counselling, drop-in service, consultation and self-help leaflets.
0151 794 4120 / 794 5820
http://www.hope.ac.uk/students/compass/counselling.htm

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Free helpline offering counselling, advice, information and support.
Call 0800 58 58 58 - 5.00pm - 3.00am.
Check out http://www.thecalmzone.net for tons of brilliant advice and information.

Depression Alliance
Tel - 0845 123 23 20.
http://www.depressionalliance.org