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Support for specific difficulties

Depression 

​Information from students Against Depression

​
Perhaps you have noticed that a friend, family member or fellow student is stressed or anxious, even suicidal?

Depression is more common than you might think, affecting one in ten of us in any one year. If you recognise the signs in yourself or someone else, there are clear steps you can take right now to help. Depression affects everyone in different ways, but trends to look out for in your mates include: 
  • A persistently sad, anxious or generally low mood. 
  • A loss of interest in life and activities. 
  • Decreased energy, struggling to complete daily tasks. 
  • Irregular sleeping patterns – sleeping little, excessively, or without routine.
  • Increased tearfulness and feelings of worthlessness.
  • Poor concentration.
How to support a friend

Be clear about your limits. 
Before you step into a situation, be realistic with yourself and know your own limits. There are many ways in which you can aid a friend but depression is still best dealt with by a professional. Don’t take on more than you can handle but offer practical, ongoing social contact and connection, which provides an important buffer against depression. 

Encourage professional help.
There are lots of options for professional help to choose from as suits your friends’ preferences, including the university health centre, local GP surgery or counselling service.

Communicate your concern.
Isolation and lack of support are key factors in depression. Letting the person know you are worried could be a key first step in breaking that isolation. Don’t be surprised if their initial response is abrupt or rejecting, persevere in showing you care. 

Check suicidal thoughts.
If you are at all concerned about this, don’t be afraid to ask the person directly. Contrary to popular belief, this is unlikely to ‘put ideas in their head’ but may well instead offer them the relief of being allowed to talk about a taboo subject. See our support directory for services that you can contact if you are worries about a friend’s safety.

From our blog:
Posts about depression

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  • Find Support
    • Support for me >
      • Our Peer Support Programmes >
        • Thrive
        • Our confidentiality commitment
        • Support for specific difficulties
      • Support at your university and further
      • University staff-run workshops
    • Support for a friend >
      • Starting a conversation
      • Looking after yourself
    • Support for parents
    • Help through Coronavirus >
      • Coronavirus - Looking After Your Mental Health
      • Coronavirus - Student resources >
        • Assessments and exams from home ​
        • Managing digital communication
      • Student Space FAQs
    • Resources >
      • Men’s Mental Health
      • The Wellbeing Thesis
      • Transitions >
        • Transition into University
        • Know Before You Go
        • Transitions for staff
      • Starting University
      • Exam stress
      • LGBTQ+
      • Looking after your mental wellbeing
      • Year Abroad
      • Student finance
      • Support through a family health crisis
  • About
    • What we do >
      • Our impact
    • Our team >
      • Trustees
      • Clinical Advisors
      • Student Advisors
    • Our supporters
  • Get Involved
    • Student volunteering >
      • Charter Student Resources
      • University Mental Health Day
      • Write for us
      • Peer support groups >
        • Apply to be a peer support facilitator
        • Set up a peer support group
    • University staff >
      • Mental Health in Sport >
        • Mental Health in Sport Online
      • Look After Your Mate >
        • Look After Your Mate Online
      • Setting up a peer support group >
        • Students Minds peer support set up
        • Peer support Train the Trainer
    • Charter
    • Students’ Unions >
      • Mentally Healthy SUs Framework
      • Introduction to Student Mental Health Online
      • Look After Your Members Online
      • Campaigning and Creating Positive Change
    • Accommodation Providers
    • Research
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Research and publications >
      • International Students
      • Supporting Male Student Mental Health
      • Co-producing Mental Health Initiatives With Student Volunteers
      • Podcasting About Mental Health
      • Student Mental Health in a Pandemic >
        • Life in a pandemic: Wave II findings
        • Life in a Pandemic
      • Supporting Students with Eating Disorders
      • Co-producing mental health strategies with students
      • The Role of an Academic
      • LGBTQ+ Research​
      • Student Voices
      • Graduate Wellbeing
      • Student Living
      • Grand Challenges
      • University Peer Support
      • University Challenge
      • Looking After a Mate
      • Summary of HEFCE’s Report
    • Materials and resources
  • Support Us
    • Donate >
      • Online shopping
      • Payroll giving
    • Fundraise >
      • Step into Spring
      • Virtual Fundraising
      • Plan Your Own Event
      • RAGs and Student Societies
      • Celebrate with Student Minds
      • Challenge Events
      • Paying in money
      • Fundraising Resources
    • Corporate Partners