April 7th is World Health Day, but that doesn’t stop at physical health. Statistics released by the World Health Organisation revealed that depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide, with more than 300 million people now living with depression. Between 2005 and 2015, this number increased by 18%.
Unfortunately, due to the stigma attached to mental health problems and a distinct lack of support available, many people go through life never receiving help for their depression.
Your World wants to change that.
We want people suffering from depression to know that there ARE ways to get help and here are a few of them:
Mind is a mental health charity set up to raise awareness for mental health issues and provide free support to those who need it.
Mind also provides access to a wide range of support groups or ‘peer support’. In these groups, people discuss their experiences with depression or mental health issues in order to support each other.
If you have someone close to you, such as a friend, relative or even a colleague at work, confide your feelings to them. Explain that you need some support with what you are dealing with and unload the emotional baggage you are carrying. Bottling up your emotions can lead you to deal with your depression in other unhealthier ways.
Counselling provides you with the opportunity to talk to a specialist in a safe space. Your counsellor will be specifically trained to deal with mental health issues and may help you to work through them and improve your quality of life.
Your GP doesn’t only help you to manage your physical health but can provide treatment for mental health struggles too. Be open and discuss what’s going on with your GP – they will help you find ways to deal with your depression.
SupportLine Telephone Helpline: 01708 765200 (Helpline)
email [email protected]
Action on Depression (Scotland):
Association for Post Natal Illness: 020 7386 0868
Aware Defeat Depression: 08451 202961 (N.Ireland)
Bipolar UK: 0333 323 3880
CALL Community Advice and Listening Line (Wales): 0800 132737
Childline: 0800 1111
Mind (National Association for Mental Health): 0300 123 3393
Muslim Youth Helpline: 0808 808 2008 (Area served London)
Samaritans: Helpline: 116 123 (free of charge from a landline or mobile)