Aware Defeat Depression is the only local mental health charity working exclusively in the field of depressive illness to raise awareness and address the needs of people with, or at risk of, depression, their families and caregivers. Established 10 years ago the organisation has offices in Belfast and L’derry. We are experts by experience and most of our volunteers and staff, including our board of directors, has either direct experience of depression or is a carer of someone with depression. We are members of the Protect Life suicide prevention strategy implementation group in Northern Ireland.

To achieve our aims we undertake the following

• campaign for better statutory provision for people with depression

• supervise a network of twenty local self-help support groups

• operate an helpline service

• organise an annual public education and outreach programme

• run an award winning awareness programme for secondary school pupils and teachers

• publish a range of literature on various aspects of depression

• train health care professionals on the signs and symptoms of depression

• recruit and train volunteers to work within the organisation as facilitators and helpline operators

• work in partnership with other organisations to develop improved treatments and therapies

Depression is a mood disorder that affects thinking and behaviour and also manifests itself in physical symptoms. It can be a serious and devastating illness and it directly affects approximately 100,000 of the population in Northern Ireland at any one time. However if it is diagnosed and treated quickly people can and do recover to lead fulfilling lives again. The signs and symptoms of depression to be aware of are as follows:

A depressed person will normally have at least two out of three of the following core symptoms for more than two weeks:

• An unusually sad mood or anxious state that does not go away (may be worse in the morning)

• Loss of enjoyment and interest in activities that used to bring pleasure

• Lack of energy and tiredness despite rest.

Some of the following symptoms will also be present:

• Slowing of thinking and body movements

• Loss of appetite or eating too much

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Sleep problems including difficulty getting to sleep, waking early or oversleeping

• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

• Excessive or inappropriate guilt

• Aches or pains without a physical cause

• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

• Feeling anxious, tense or irritable

• Negative thoughts about self, others and the world

• Feeling unable to cope with everyday things

• Loss of interest in sex

• Social withdrawal

• Delusions and/or hallucinations (in severe cases)

Doctors classify depressions as mild, moderate or severe, depending on the number and severity of the above symptoms.  The following is a guide:

• Mild depression: Four of the symptoms for at least two weeks

• Moderate depression: Six of the symptoms for at least two weeks

• Severe depression: Eight of the symptoms for at least two weeks.

For further information on any of Aware’s activities, please look at our website www.aware-ni.org.uk

0845 1 20 29 61

help@aware-ni.org