Depression
Tips to help you manage low moods and Seasonal Affective Disorder.
About depression
Depression is a common mental illness, affecting around one-in-six people in Great Britain*.
You might experience mental and physical symptoms, such as being unable to find pleasure in things and focus, or experiencing a loss of appetite, lack of energy and aches and pains.
Sometimes there is no obvious cause for depression, and it can be triggered by life events such as bereavement, job worries or giving birth. A family history of the condition can mean people are more prone to it.
But there is help and support available, it can be treated, and most people make a full recovery — even after years of depression.
Crisis support
We offer ongoing mental health support for employees, but if you need to talk to someone urgently or think you may attempt to take your own life, help is available from:
| Where to find help in an emergency | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Samaritans 24-hour crisis helpline | Call 116 123 |
| MIND | Call 0300 123 3393 |
| CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) | Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight) |
| Papyrus (for under 35s) | Call 0800 068 41 41 (9am to midnight) |
| Trained crisis volunteers | Text 85258 and someone will text you back. |
Depression and work
Work can sometimes contribute to depression – and having depression can affect your work performance. Depression can make it difficult to function at work and is often accompanied by anxiety. You might withdraw from others, whether at work or in your family and social life.
If you think you might have depression, there is support available. Many employers provide an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which can offer access to counselling and other help.
You should talk to your GP in the first instance. They may sign you off from work for a period, if necessary. Your employer can also make adjustments to help you keep doing your job.
These might include:
- Flexibility in working hours and location, if appropriate
- Agreeing a realistic workload
- Providing support or training, where required.
Get help to deal with depression
If you are struggling to manage your depression at work, the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service is here for you.
We’ve helped thousands of people feel happier in their role with our cost-free mental health support.