DEPRESSION

RESOURCES

Definition

Depression is a mood disorder stemming from a long term loss of interest and feelings of sadness. This is known as a major depressive disorder or a clinical depression. It causes a person to feel unhappy, lose interest in life, and in the elements surrounding them that used to be engaging. Consequently, the person begins to conclude that life isn’t worth living. People with this type of depression are unable to cope with the day-to-day complexities of life and cannot just sleep it off or get a “wake up” call to be back into their normal routines. These individuals require medications to assist in cogent chemical brain activity and/or therapeutic counseling to relieve the stress and frustrations occurring in their life.

In any given year, 7 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with this condition; women are 2 to 3 times more likely to be diagnosed than men (American Psychiatric Association).

MEDICAL CONTACT INFORMATION

CALL 911 – if you feel you may hurt yourself, or think you may want to end your life, or hurt anyone else, due to your depression…

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS

  • Call your mental health specialist.
  • Call a Suicide Hotline Number—in the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
  • Use that same number and press “1” to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
  • Seek help from your primary doctor or other health care provider.
  • Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
  • Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.