There’s still work to be done to improve mental health awareness

Whether or not you’ve had to deal with some of life’s hard knocks, whatever your background, depression doesn’t discriminate.

Here Counsellor Lynn Crilly, author of Hope With Depression (Hammersmith Books, £16.99) tackles some of the common myths about depression... someone well, and knowing what’s normal for them, is vital. If they start showing unusual behaviour, perhaps sleeping or eating in a way that causes concern, dig deeper to see if depression or another mental illness could be the cause.”

“Some people see antidepressant medication as something to be feared (and often avoided), because of concerns about its sideeffects and whether it could lead to an addiction. Those concerns should certainly not be ignored, but neither should they put people off seeking medical help for depression.

“The best person to advise a patient about whether medication is suitable for them and what the effects of taking it might be is their GP. However, that’s not to say all responsibility should be handed to a medical practitioner. The patient themselves, along with their loved ones, should ask about side-effects and remain alert to any potential problems they may cause.

“Medication is also only one line of treatment. It’s not always needed and therapy or counselling can also be very effective, while other alternative therapies may also be helpful.”

“While the number of women known to be suffering with depression is greater than the number of men, we also know men are much less likely to come forward to seek help for their symptoms, and in our ‘macho’ society, perhaps find it harder to talk about their state of mind.

“However, the shocking fact that the biggest cause of death among men under the age of 50 is suicide clearly shows that men are also suffering with mental illness, and they need to be right at the centre of the conversation about it.

“You can’t wave a magic wand and make the depression disappear, but you can support and care for someone with the illness and show them acceptance and understanding, and in doing so you’ll help make their journey through depression easier to bear.