Depression

What is depression?

Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days.

Most people go through periods of feeling down, but when you're depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.

Some people think depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They're wrong – it is a real illness with real symptoms. Depression is not a sign of weakness or something you can "snap out of" by "pulling yourself together".

The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most people with depression can make a full recovery.

What does depression look like?

  • Persistent feelings of sadness, self-deprecating comments

  • Disconnected from feelings

  • Lack of interest in the world around you

  • Trouble focusing

  • Guilt

  • Irritability

  • Not getting out of bed

  • Insomnia

  • Pessimistic comments or suicidal thoughts

Causes of depression


  • Loneliness

  • Financial stress

  • Academic stress

  • Poor body image

  • Poor self-esteem

  • Drug or alcohol use

  • Social media use

Strategies to help you with depression

  • Give frequent feedback on academic, social and behavioural performance

  • Learn how to set goals and self-monitor

  • Learn problem-solving skills

  • Develop ways to organise, plan and execute tasks effectively

  • Assign an individual to act as a primary contact (mentor)

  • Frequently monitor where the student has suicidal thoughts

  • Speak with the LM and DSL