Everybody feels sad or unhappy sometimes, but people suffering from depression feel very down and struggle to shake off constant feelings of unhappiness.
Depression can happen as a reaction to a difficult experience such as bullying, bereavement or family relationship difficulties, but it can also happen without any obvious trigger or reason.
People with depression may experience:
- Persistent low mood or sadness
- Losing interest in their daily life
- Feeling hopeless and bad about themselves
- Avoiding family, friends and social situations
- Loss of appetite or find eating more than they normally would
- Problems with their sleep
- Thoughts of self harm or suicide
Information and tools to support you (these will be tiles/buttons rather than links)
- ChildLine: A free and confidential support service for children and young people (telephone 0800 1111).
- Young Minds - depression
- Young minds - medication
Getting help for depression
Talk to someone you trust; a teacher, friend or relative about how you are feeling.
Take the first step and see your GP who might refer you to child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). CAMHS will work with you to agree the best treatment approach for you – this will likely include therapy and maybe medication also.
“I've suffered with depression for many years now, it can be very draining, every day seemed to be so difficult to face. However, I’m learning every day more and more how to not let my depression affect me in day-to-day life. In the last few years I have come so far with overcoming my depression and I know that the day will come where I don't even have to worry about it at all.”
- Anon