Depression

What is depression?

Signs of Depression Include:

• Feelings of sadness, low mood or emotional numbness that don’t go away.
• Losing interest and pleasure in your usual activities.
• Crying for no apparent reason.
• Feelings of irritability.
• Excessive anxiety/agitation.
• Changes in your sleeping or eating patterns.
• Loss of energy, lethargy, extreme tiredness or fatigue.
• Lack of motivation.
• Feeling worthless or hopeless.
• Feeling guilty for no reason.
• Problems with thinking clearly or concentration; forgetfulness
• Thoughts of death.

Depression can affect all areas of your life including family relationships, friendships and the ability to work or go to school.

What Can You Do?

It is okay to ask for help. Most people recover from depression. The most important thing to do is to get help and support.
A professional who is trained to recognise and treat depression can help you to deal with your symptoms and protect you from further episodes.

Psychological treatment and/or medication can make a difference.

Connections with Hope is a free and confidential depression treatment group run by Manawatu SF comprising weekly two-hour sessions over a period of ten weeks. It will include:

• A safe venue for those who are affected by depression to talk about issues. 
• Information about depression.
• New ways of thinking.
• “Hope” – people do recover and get on with their lives.
• Helpful resources to take home with you
• New skills that you can take away with you for the future.