What to do about depression..help is available!

Being aware of Men's depression

It can lead to self harm and affect anyone anytime. Left untreated, depression can create serious disruptions to family and work and cause suicidal thoughts.

Depressive moods are a sign that some internal state needs attention or change. The demands of being a partner in a relationship, perhaps a father and family provider, coupled with ideas that men should "just get on with it" can make it difficult to talk about depression. Or you may be too depressed to seek help but depression doesn't go away by itself.

What is depression?
Physical symptoms

• feel tired and run down
• lose your appetite
• have trouble sleeping
• feeling agitated or restless
  

Changes in behaviour

• avoiding friends
• taking little care about appearance
• have trouble finishing tasks

Changes in mood

• gloom, despair
• no enthusiasm for activities you used to enjoy
• no happiness for the past, present or future

Negative thoughts

• thoughts of not being good enough
• thoughts that others couldn't like you
• thoughts of being a failure
  

Most people feel this way occasionally - it can be a normal reaction to stress. But when these symptoms go on for an extended time - more than a month -and they feel quite severe, you may have depression.

Why you may be at risk

Life events such as pressures at work, separation and loss of relationships, social isolation.
Unemployment or under employment erodes your self esteem and sense of worth as a person - this can lead to depression. Some emotions such as hurt and grief are often hard to express. If these feelings are pushed aside and ignored you may become depressed.
Being aware of these factors will help recognise your own depression and overcome feelings of shame and guilt. This will make it easier to seek help.

What to do about depression
Talk to a friend or partner. Think of someone you can trust, who will accept you as you are, depression and all. Share the burden.

Family Doctors

See your doctor for professional assessment of the problem. The doctor will also give advice about what to do next.

Community Clinics

They are a free service staffed by psychiatrist, psychologists and social workers who can offer a range of help. Community Clinics are listed under "Mental health" in the phone book.

Counsellors and Therapists

They include psychologists, psychiatric nurses, ethnic support workers etc., who are trained in various counsellng techniques. Often depression is triggered by a particular problem or event that needs to be cleared up. Counsellors are skilled at helping people through such crisis. The cost of private counselling can sometimes be covered by health insurance.

Telephone Counselling

A number of services provide 24 hour telephone support service. They are anonymous, staffed with trained volunteers or paid staff available to provide emotional support and information. They are listed under "Community- Personal and other emergencies" at the front of the phone book.

Self help groups

They can provide valuable support, practical advice in an informal setting. Contact Western Institute of Self Help (WISH) for the self help groups in different areas.

Self help books

Find out more about depression and the full range of options available, including many things you can do for yourself. Larger bookstores and libraries have a good range of self help books or a self help book is available from the WA (Western Australia) association for Mental Health.
(Health Department of Western Australia)

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