When you have problems or life is not going the way you would like, it is normal to feel low or down. This can last for a few hours, days or longer. When it gets so bad that it affects you most of the time, you may be depressed.

You may feel tired all the time, don,t feel like eating or eat too much, have no interest in anything, find it hard to sleep and cannot be bothered with other people.

It is important to recognise the symptoms of depression early and to get help.

How!
It may help if you take some exercise, get involved in some activity or listen to music. Talk to someone you trust, this could be a friend, family member or someone like a youth worker who you know would listen. You could also contact one of the agencies in your area who could help. This service is usually free. See your doctor who might send you to a counsellor or some other form of help and your doctor can decide whether medication would help you if you are severely depressed.

For further info about how you can help yourself or where to go for help:

ChildLine:
Phone 0800 1111 (free) or visit www.childline.org.uk

Aware
Local support group for depression. Visit www.aware-ni.org

Aware Defeat Depression
Nationwide self-help group for carers and those suffering from depression.
10 Clarendon Street
L'Derry
Phone 028 7126 0602

Samaritans
Phone 08457 90 90 90 or visit www.samaritans.org.uk

Counselling projects in North and West Belfast whom you can contact yourself:

I.C.P.D.
028 9033 0996

New life
Phone 028 9039 1630

Holy Trinity Counselling Project
Phone 028 9020 0396 or 028 9020 0557

Lenadoon Project
028 9060 0641

The Depression alliance
Advice on depression for young people .
Visit www.depressionalliance.org

advice for young people and teenagers dealing with depression in belfast