Self-Management Resources

There are several ways to promote better mental health.

Learn how to help yourself and manage your depression.

Read about self-management and take the self-test

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Take the self-test

Family & Friends

What you need to know about depression

Depression is a common illness worldwide, with more than 300 million people affected. Depression is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors. (World Health Organization, WHO, 2017).

Depression is an illness that involves not only the mind or brain but the whole body, affecting the way a person eats, sleeps, feels about himself or herself, and thinks about things. It is not a passing, normal, state of mind and it is neither a sign of personal weakness nor a condition that one can "snap out of".

In general, depression can affect anyone: men and women from all backgrounds, in all professions, and at all stages of life. Even people whose lives seem carefree and contented can experience depression.

Depression can be treated. If you think you have depression, seek help.

Information for family & friends

I'm worried about someone...

If you believe that someone you know might be suffering from depression, you might feel worried, afraid or frustrated.

 

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Become informed

Depression is very common: in fact it is one of the most common mental health problems. One in four or five individuals will experience depression at some stage in their lives.

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Knowing the signs

Depression is an illness that involves not only the mind or brain but the whole body, affecting the way a person eats, sleeps, feels about him or herself, and thinks about things.

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Depression is a treatable illness

Getting treatment can be helpful for most people with depression since it is likely that depression will get worse if left untreated.

There are many effective treatments available to help people suffering from depression and many effective strategies that can be learned to cope and live with the illness. There are also many health professionals and services available to provide information, support and adequate specialised treatment.

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Getting the best treatment

Your family member/friend might be feeling unwell, not willing to look for help or information and you do not know if he/she needs treatment or not. To see if he/she may be in need for help, fill in the self-test on this website and if positive, take a look at our section on Treatment for Depression in the For All tab.

If a clinical diagnostic confirmation or help is needed, first of all, you should convince your friend/family member to go to his/her personal doctor, which is in most cases a GP.

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What can I do?

As a friend or family member, you can do a lot. Bearing in mind the information outlined here, you can inform your family member or friend about depression.

 

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Minding your own mental health

A diagnosis of depression may be a source of relief or worry, and supportive family and friends can play an important role in recovery.


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iFightDepression Tool

The iFightDepression tool is an online, guided self-management programme that aims to help individuals with mild to moderate depression to self-manage their symptoms. If your GP or healthcare professional referred you to access to the iFightDepression tool and you have a personal user account, you can log in here:

 

LOGIN HERE

SEARCHING FOR HELP WITH DEPRESSION

is an important first step

iFightDepression is a project financed and implemented by: