Get help to beat the blues

Get help to beat the blues

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust is encouraging local people with depression to seek the help they need.

The message comes as part of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, 2012, which this year focuses on ‘Depression: A Global Crisis’.

Official figures show that as many as one in four people will be affected by some form of mental health problem in their lives.

Claire Maguire, Clinical Lead for Psychological Therapies at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “If you’re depressed, you often lose interest in things that you used to enjoy. Depression commonly interferes with your work, social life and family life, and there can be a number of symptoms such as physical, psychological or social, often in combination.”

Typical symptoms include low mood, lack of motivation, tearfulness, feeling worried, change in appetite or weight, lack of energy, disturbed sleep patterns and avoiding social situations.

Even though these everyday problems affect a range of people, sufferers still feel embarrassed or too ashamed to talk about it.

“Many people find it difficult or are unable to tell friends and family about their mental or psychological health problems, even though they could be the people who can give the best support," says Claire.

“Sharing your worries with friends and family can really help to reduce the burden. Just talking about your feelings can be a huge release. The worst thing you can do is bottle it up and hope it goes away, because in most cases it won’t, and you could actually end up making things worse.

“If you do feel alone and can’t talk to anybody, there are a number of local NHS services, charities and voluntary organisations that can help. Don’t let things get on top of you and ask for help.”

If you are experiencing feelings of depression or anxiety, make sure you get help by booking an appointment to see your GP.

Pennine Care is the leading provider of mental health and community services in the boroughs of Rochdaqle Bury and Oldham, as well as mental health services in Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.