Problems

Depression

Depression is very common and everyone feels fed up, sad, unhappy, miserable at times. Sometimes we know that there is a cause for our depression - maybe we have just broken up from a relationship, maybe someone we were close to has died, we may have failed exams, we may be ill - but other times there doesn't seem to be one cause - it may be a build up of problems, feeling unable to cope with life and we are not really sure why.

When depression is very severe some people can feel that life isn't worth living, they want to die. When depression doesn't go away it is important to ask for help. It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help but a sign of strength to recognise that you have these feelings and are unable to cope. Many people find at some stage in their life that it is hard to cope as well as they used to. You don't have to be strong all the time - recognise when you are finding it difficult to cope and need support.

People can get a variety of symptoms when they feel very depressed.

• General feelings of unhappiness which don't go away.

• Having no interest in life.

• Finding it difficult to concentrate and make even easy decisions.

• Having no feeling of enjoyment in life.

• Not wanting to go out or mix with people but spending a lot of time on your own.

• Feeling very tired and having no energy.

• Finding it difficult to sleep and waking up frequently during the night.

• Having no appetite and eating very little

• Losing self confidence and feeling worthless.

• Being very irritable, anxious, impatient.

• Feeling very negative about life.

• Having suicidal thoughts.

If you are depressed don't bottle it up - it is important you talk to someone - family, friend, teacher, youth leader, GP, organisation, helpline etc. - anyone you feel you can trust If you don't share how you are feeling you may find yourself using unhealthy coping strategies which will in the long run only add to your problems and make you feel worse - some people may start drinking alcohol more, may take drugs, may start self harming and cutting themselves, may stop eating or binge eating and making themselves sick.

You may find that counselling will help you as this will give you a safe space to talk to someone who is especially trained. This will help you to say how you really feel inside and the counsellor will work with you to help you find solutions and healthy coping strategies and to look at the reasons behind your depression. This will give you a better understanding of your feelings and some support in working through anything which is troubling you. If you find that counselling doesn't work for you then it would be an idea to see your GP and discuss with him other ways of helping you with your depression.

Talking to others and counselling and therapy can help but to pull yourself out of a depression you need to do a lot of work yourself. When you are depressed you may feel you have no control over your life but you do still have choices. You can choose to stay depressed and not eat properly, not exercise, stay in bed all day, etc. or you can choose to try and help yourself to get out of the depression . If you take care of yourself physically it will help you to feel stronger emotionally and to cope more easily with life. Just as a car needs petrol to work properly so does your body need nutrients from food so although you may not feel like eating please try and eat healthily and drink plenty of water.

Sometimes when we are depressed life can seem very negative and black - it can be easy to forget that there are beautiful things in the world surrounding us. Try and get out each day into an open space, park, forest, lake etc. and just take in the beauty of your surroundings, and try and be at one with nature. This can help keep things in perspective and lift your mood.

Set yourself small goals - maybe each day try and write down something you want to do the following day and try and follow this through. The more active you are the less time you will have to focus on your depression. Try and interact with other people when you can as if you totally isolate yourself and cut yourself off from the outside world you could find your depression gets more severe.

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What Can I do To Help Myself

• Don't bottle things up - find someone to talk to about how you are feeling.

• Make sure you get plenty of exercise and plenty of fresh air. You will find that even if you do a quick walk every day and a short period of other exercise each day you will start to feel physically and emotionally stronger and more able to cope.

• Make sure you eat a healthy balanced diet - eat little and often and don't skip meals. If you are not eating properly you will feel more depressed and listless.

• Try and keep busy - to keep your mind occupied.

• Do things you enjoy to relax, treat yourself and take care of yourself.

• Try and get to bed at a regular time. If you find it difficult to sleep listen to the radio/TV/read and you may find you drop off to sleep more easily.

• Don't resort to unhealthy ways of dealing with your problems like drinking, taking drugs, cutting, eating disorders.

• Ask for help when you need it.

• Try to stop thinking in a negative way - when you think a negative thought try and replace it with a positive one.

• If you need a hug ask someone you trust - this can make you feel that someone really does care how you are feeling.

Remember depression is very common - you will not always feel like this - you will come out of it and be able to enjoy life.

If your depression is severe and you are having thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life it is important you talk to someone immediately about how you are feeling. If you are a child or young person speak to your parents about how you are feeling. They would want to know how you feel and to support you and look at ways of helping. Talk to your GP and make him aware of what is going on for you. It is very difficult to deal with severe depression on your own - you need help and support and in some cases your GP may advise medication.

ENDING YOUR LIFE AND HARMING YOURSELF IS NEVER THE ANSWER. YOU HAVE YOUR WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF YOU AND WILL NOT ALWAYS FEEL LIKE THIS.

Depression/PTSD and poor mental health in the Security Industry

A 2021 study By Working the Doors of the security industry revealed alarming rates of PTSD and poor mental health among professionals. Over half of the respondents reported regular verbal abuse at work, and 57% indicated that incidents affected them for more than 24 hours. Additionally, 48% experienced flashbacks or nightmares related to their work. Overall, nearly 60% of the security professionals surveyed may be suffering from PTSD.

We would urge anyone who is suffering from depression, PTSD, poor mental health, in the course of their work, to seek help, and not suffer in silence.

https://www.workingthedoors.co.uk/surveys/violence-in-the-security-industry/?msID=c5158532-df97-4cee-9309-08fc445b3ee5
 

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Agencies which offer support and information

Andy's Man Club
https://andysmanclub.co.uk/
Men's Mental Health Support Groups running throughout the UK
Talking Groups for men who have either been through a storm, are currently going through a storm or have a storm brewing in life. 

Association for Post Natal Illness:
020 7386 0868
www.apni.org
To advise and support women suffering from post natal illness. Running a network of volunteers to support sufferers throughout the UK.

Aware Defeat Depression:  (area served N.Ireland)
www.aware-ni.org.uk
Support, information or a listening ear for all those affected by depressive illnesses.

Bipolar UK:
www.bipolaruk.org 
Advice and information for people with manic depression and their families, carers and mental health professionals. Supply a range of information leaflets, books and tapes. Network of self help groups for people with manic depression, relatives and friends. Self management training programme.

Breaking The Silence SF
https://www.suicideforum.com/
https://www.suicideforum.com/community/
A website for suicidal people and those in mental health crisis
Online forums, chat, information and support

Breathing Space:
0800 83 85 87 (Area served SCOTLAND)
https://breathingspace.scot/
Breathing Space is a free, confidential phone line for people in Scotland who are experiencing low mood or depression. Breathing Space is available to the public every day of the year, 24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday–6am Monday) and 6pm-2am (Monday-Thursday).

CALL Community Advice and Listening Line (Wales):
0800 132737
www.callhelpline.org.uk
Mental health helpline for Wales providing confidential listening support service.  

Calmzone:
National 0800 585858
www.thecalmzone.net
Campaign Against Living Miserably. Help and support for young men aged 15-35 on issues which include depression and suicide.

Childline: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk

Directions for Men
07894 971 434
https://www.directionsformen.org.uk/
Directions For Men provides groups for men to come and talk about whatever it is that is affecting their mental health. They support each other through difficult times and they help each other by talking about what worked for us when we were going through difficult times. Directions For Men want to get men doing things they enjoy so they also get activities and events off the ground for you to attend and participate in and meet a new bunch of mates.What they do is called peer support. That is people with similar backgrounds and experiences looking out for each other.

Directory and Book Services:
www.dabs.uk.com
Wide range of books including those on depression, self esteem assertiveness, self harm, child abuse.

Depression UK:
www.depressionuk.org
Wide self help organisation made up of individual members and groups which meet locally on a regular basis for mutual support. £10 yearly membership (reductions for those who cannot afford that amount).

Health in Mind (Scotland)
0131 225 8508
www.health-in-mind.org.uk
Promotes positive mental health and well being in Scotland. Provides a wide range of services including support, respite, befriending, day services, counselling/talking therapies, face to face and on telephone.

Humen
https://www.wearehumen.org/
Mental health charity providing anonymous and non-clinical safe spaces for men to not only talk but to listen and connect on a regular basis. The HUMEN Space is preventative, practical and plain speaking. No lingo or prescriptive advice. Free one hour sessions where men get together to talk honestly, and actually be heard, in a confidential space without risk of judgment or ridicule. The right to talk should never be a privilege. Every Monday 6:30 PM for any man across the UK and online globally. See below for all HUMEN Space locations and The HUMEN Space Online.
https://www.wearehumen.org/the-humen-space/#second-text

James' Place
London: 020 3488 8404 Liverpool: 0151 303 5757 Newcastle: 0191 406 6000
https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/
Offer free, life-saving support to men in suicidal crisis in Liverpool, London and Newcastle.
Their mission is to help men aged 18+ who are in crisis, by providing quick and free access to non-residential therapy and support. They offer an individualised person-centred intervention to men experiencing a suicidal crisis delivered over six to eight face to face sessions with a trained therapist at one of their centres in Liverpool, London or Newcastle. Men can self-refer or be referred by a health professional for short and focused one to one therapy which will help them to understand and recover from a suicidal crisis. James' Place aims to open two new centres in the next few years with Birmingham the next to open.

Lifeline (N.Ireland)
0808 808 8000
www.lifelinehelpline.info
For anyone in N.Ireland who is in distress or despair. Immediate help on phone 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Face to face counselling can be arranged, also befriending, mentoring. Issues dealt with include suicide prevention, self harm, abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety.

MANUP
https://www.manup.how/
Men, talking to men. Change peoples thoughts, opinions and minds about men and mental health.
https://www.manup.how/mental-health-videos
Mental health videos. Educational and honest mental health podcasts that show real cases of mental illness or issues and their following success stories. Don't feel alone in your struggles with mental health or mental illness Therefore MANUP encourage you to watch their conversations for more information about how others have handled mental illness and achieved success by simply being aware of the flags. MANUP welcomes anyone who would like to join them in a mental health video or vlog, if this is you, please get in touch with MANUP

The Maytree:
www.maytree.org.uk
Sanctuary for the suicidal offering befriending and support (based in N.London).

Men's Minds Matter
https://mensmindsmatter.org/help-me-im-suicidal/
Information and sources of support if you are suicidal

Men's Sheds Association
0300 772 9626
https://menssheds.org.uk/
Community spaces for men to connect, converse and create. They help reduce loneliness, and isolation and fun. 

Scottish Mens Sheds Association
https://scottishmsa.org.uk/

MindTheMen
https://mindthemen.co.uk/
MindTheMen are a suicide prevention peer support group where men (18+) can meet in a safe place to talk about their challenges, be listened to and feel supported. Support Groups are in the Glasgow area and also sporting and social activities are offered around the Glasgow area. Weekly zoom meetings also take place available to any man in Scotland.

Men Matter Scotland
0141 944 7900
https://www.menmatterscotland.org/
Facilitate activities that support positive mental, physical and emotional health and wellbeing for men.
Run weekly groups, sessions and activities, facilitated on a peer to peer basis where men can meet in a safe and friendly place, talk openly, feel supported and listened to without judgement within a confidential setting from people who are equal to you - your peers. The charity exists to promote wellbeing and to prevent suicide in men.

Mens Group
https://mensgroup.com/
Most men don't get to talk about whats on their minds which can lead to depression, anxiety, poor relationships. Find friendship, self development, online discussions, social events and more

The Mental Health Foundation:
www.mhf.org.uk
Publish a booklet 'Understanding Depression'.

Mind (National Association for Mental Health):
0300 123 3393
www.mind.org.uk
Publish booklets relating to Depression.

The Mix (formerly Get Connected)
www.themix.org.uk 
Essential support for under 25s. Phone, Email, Web support and Counselling. 

Mood Swings:
Helpline: 0161 832 3736
www.moodswings.org.uk
National Helpline and online support providing free and confidential information, advice and support to people with mood disorders, family, friends and health and social care professionals. Also one to one, support groups, workshops at Centre in Manchester.

Muslim Youth Helpline:
0808 808 2008 (Area served London)
www.myh.org.uk
Helpline providing culturally sensitive support to Muslim youth under the age of 25. Outreach services including family mediation, face to face counselling and befriending.

My Black Dog
https://www.myblackdog.co/
A community-focused platform offering peer-to-peer conversations for people who are struggling with mental health challenges and trauma. Use their chat box when you don't know who to talk to. Whether you are experiencing uncertainties, feeling trapped, or simply curious, they are there to support you. Free, online, and available every day.  

National Youth Advocacy Service:
0808 808 1001
help@nyas.net
www.nyas.net
Provides information, advice, advocacy and legal representation to young people up to the age of 25 through a network of advocates throughout England and Wales.

Peer Talk:
https://www.peertalk.org.uk/
Facing Depression Together. PeerTalk is a national charity that provides weekly volunteer facilitated peer support groups for people living with depression, anxiety and related distress.

Rethink support groups
https://www.rethink.org/help-in-your-area/groups-in-your-area/

Samaritans:
Helpline: 116 123 (free of charge from a landline or mobile)
email jo@samaritans.org
www.samaritans.org.

Coram Voice:
0808 800 5792
www.coramvoice.org.uk
Telephone advice, information and advocacy services for children in care. Helpline for care leavers - 0808 100 3224. Visiting advocacy service for children in secure units and other residential homes.

SHOUT
Text 85258
https://www.giveusashout.org/
Anxious, Worried, Stressed, get 24/7 help from a crisis volunteer

The OLLIE Foundation
https://theolliefoundation.org/
A charity dedicated to delivering suicide awareness. Providing confidential help and advice to young people and anyone worried about a young person. Helping others to prevent young suicide by delivering a number of training programmes. Delivering online weekly mental health support sessions open and free to all young people.

The Proper Blokes Club
https://theproperblokesclub.co.uk/
A community project for men's mental health. the main aim is to break the stigma of men's mental health and start talking openly about it. 
Exercise has been a proven way to help people with any sort of mental health issues by releasing endorphins that make you feel good about yourself. Walking is free so makes a great way to start and gets you out in the fresh air. Currently Walk and Talk groups in London and some surrounding areas but hoping to expand.

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Useful websites

https://charliewaller.org/
the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust - Awareness of the signs of depression, information and resources

https://www.good-thinking.uk/low-mood
Good Thinking: Digital Mental Wellbeing for London
Help with boosting your mood with free NHS approved apps and other resources

www.haveigotaproblem.com
Free resource for mental health and addiction issues created and run by the Tasha Foundation.

https://www.iesohealth.com/en-gb
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has proven to be effective in treating anxiety, stress, depression and many other mental health problems. A course of online therapy treatment is free for many NHS patients in many areas of the UK.

https://www.just-me-mental-health.com/home
Online mental health support group providing a listening service and information on other agencies to anyone suffering with mentalhealth issues

www.meandmymind.nhs.uk
Oasis, the NHS Community Mental Health Team in London have developed this site which is aimed at young people 14-35 years who are struggling with unusual experiences like hearing voices or feeling paranoid. Although some of the contact information is relevant to the London Boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark, Croydon, or Lewisham, the general information provided would be helpful for anyone struggling with these issues.   

www.nightline.ac.uk
Trained student volunteers provide emotional support to students. Operating in the night when many other university services are closed.

www.mind.org.uk/foodandmood
A site which explores the relationship of what you eat and how you feel

www.healthyplace.com
Information and support for those suffering from depression (American site)

www.mindingyourhead.info
Information relating to mental health, depression, stress and anxiety

www.moodgym.com.au
Online training programme using cognitive behavioural therapy for preventing depression

https://www.mytherapyapp.com/depression-mood-tracker-app
Diary App for people with depression

www.overcomedepression.co.uk
Depression help and advice  

www.studentsagainstdepression.org
Site contains excellent information and help for anyone feeling depressed

www.theblackdog.net
Supportive site for men who suffer from depression and/or suicidal thoughts

https://www.willgarveytrustfoundation.org.uk/
The Will Garvey Trust Foundation (WTF) was set up by the parents of Will Garvey, a young man who at the age of 20 died by suicide. The Trust Foundation raises awareness of suicide and mental health with their central mantra based on the slogan W.T.F. - Why Talking Fixes. The Foundation focuses primarily on young people 13-25 years and their support communities but they hope and intend that their resources and activities will be of relevance to anyone looking for support.

Useful books

Overcoming Depression by Paul Gilbert - Publishers Constable & Robinson: ISBN 1841191256
Click here to read more or buy this book

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Caring for someone with depression

It can be very difficult watching a loved one going through depression, seeing someone you care about suffering and often feeling helpless as to how to offer support. It may well bring up many different emotions in yourself such as frustration, anger, sadness.

Find out as much as you can about depression for yourself, which will give you a greater understanding of what your loved one is going through, which in turn will help you to support them. A depressed person can't simply just snap out of it, often it can be a slow process taking one step at a time working towards recovery. As part of their recovery they may from time to time have relapses, if they do don't get down about it as some people do have them before they make a full recovery.

A depressed person will often feel very alone and isolated with their feelings and may even feel ashamed of speaking about their depression. It is important for them to know that many of us at some time in our lives struggle with life and need support from others. It is a sign of strength, not weakness to reach out to others for help.  Sometimes they might need to be alone as life is getting too much for them at that time of their recovery. If they do want some time out give them that time but try and not let them take too much time away on their own and withdraw from people if possible.

Never underestimate the importance of letting the person know you care what they are going through, you are there for them if they want to talk about anything.

Sometimes when a person is depressed they lack the enthusiasm and motivation to do anything and searching for information therefore can feel difficult to do. They may also feel that there is no help out there and that the way they feel now will be the way they will always feel, which can often lead to feelings of despair. Give them time to recover.

You can help by looking for information for them such as helplines, counselling services and information about depression and give it to them to read in their own time if they choose to. If someone is severely depressed try not to overwhelm them with too much information at once. It may be helpful to offer to go through the information with them.

Encourage the person to seek help. You can offer to go with them and give them support if they choose to go to a GP or counsellor as it may seem very daunting for them to go on their own especially if their mind is ill.  However, in your concern for them to get help try to avoid putting pressure on them by telling them too often what to do.

Exercise is beneficial to anyone who is depressed, try and encourage this, ask if they would like to go out for walks with you. If they are severely depressed it may not be wise for them to go out on their own as their mind may not be functioning enough to pick up the dangers they would need to avoid to keep themselves safe.

Ask them in what ways you can support them. Sometimes asking that question may get a reply from the person you are trying to support that you personally don't agree would help them but sometimes people know themselves best and what may be right for them at that particular time.

It is important to remember it is not your responsibility to sort out their depression and you are not responsible for their happiness. Each individual has to take responsibility for their own lives, choices, decisions, happiness and fulfilment in life. Sometimes people are not ready or able to face up to their illness and not ready to get help.  Sometimes sadly people will get worse before they are ready to get help for themselves. In these situations all you can do is be there to support them in whatever way you can. You cannot force another person to get help.

It is important not to allow the situation to take over your own life. Caring for someone with depression can often become all consuming to the extent that people neglect themselves and often become ill with stress because of the situation.  It is important to have time for yourself, for your family, friends, leisure activities, relaxation and to have support for yourself perhaps from a friend or a local Carers Group otherwise you may feel you are becoming overwhelmed and drained by the situation.

You may have to set boundaries, you can be there to listen to them but that does not mean to the extent of everything else in your life. You are not responsible for fixing their depression, they are, and they are responsible for getting the help they need.  You can support them with this and give encouragement and help where you can.

Some organisations who provide support for people with depression may also provide support for those caring for them. If you are caring for someone with severe depression it may help to seek support for yourself from a local Carers support group. (see sections on Carers, Depression and Mental Health)