Today is World Health Day, an annual event highlighting various illnesses and disabilities to raise awareness and spread knowledge. This year the World Health Organisation (WHO) is running a year-long campaign on depression.
Depression is one of the leading illnesses worldwide and suicide is the second largest cause of death amongst those aged 15 to 29. With exam season around the corner this can be a stressful time for young people, with many not realising there are people you can speak to.
Chat it Out
Charities across the UK have dedicated helplines for those who are feeling depressed and need emotional support. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with uni work or life away from home isn’t how you imagined it would be, don’t keep your feelings locked up – let’s talk.
WHO’s motto, Depression: Let’s Talk, is to encourage more people to open up and share the thoughts and feelings that are weighing them down. By raising awareness of depression it is hoped that young people will become more comfortable in coming forward whilst ensuring additional organisations are on hand to help out.
Depression Signs
Signs of depression include low mood, a lack of interest or motivation in things that you used to find appealing, sleeping more or less, all the way to suicidal thoughts in extreme cases.
Those feeling extreme pressure to perform well in their dissertations or final exams may end up feeling depressed – it is important to know that depression does not discriminate, this is an illness that can affect anyone and everyone, and it can be triggered by a number of different things. Not just education pressure.
As more people open up about mental health issues, it’s refreshing to see that universities are following suit. There is a high chance that your university has a campus counsellor or guidance officer who will be on hand to help you when you’re not feeling your best or are worried about anything from exams to relationship issues to being homesick – this might be the best years of your life, but it’s OK not to be OK.
This World Health Day, put a stop to mental health discrimination and open up on how you’re feeling. This simple act will help you and it might even help out some of your pals who have been suffering in silence.
If you or someone you know is struggling contact Samaritans confidentially on 116 123.
