Depression

Feeling sad and flat most of the time or losing interest in most of your usual activities for more than two weeks may mean you have a depressive illness. There are many types of depression and many different treatments. It is important to talk to your doctor about how you are feeling and the best treatment for you.

Lifeline's Just ask has developed a Tool Kit for Beating the Blues

Download the full text of the TOOL KIT FOR BEATING THE BLUES (pdf)

The tool kit looks at

• Getting a medical check up
• Making plans to be active
• Deciding to do something enjoyable every day
• Getting quality sleep
• Solving problems that make you stressed
• Changing faulty thinking
• Treatment options

Useful web sites include:

www.beyond blue.org.au
'beyondblue's' major goal is to increase community awareness of depression. The website aims to provide authoritative, reliable and useful information as well as mechanisms for giving voice to the concerns and experiences of those whose lives have been affected by depression.

www.depressionet.com.au
depressioNet is an independent resource for information, help and support. They offer a 24 hour email service to answer any depression related questions and help locate resources available in your area. There is also the opportunity to communicate with others via the chat room and message board.

http://bluepages.anu.edu.au and the Mood Gym at
http://moodgym.anu.edu.au
BluePages" provides information about depression for consumers It is produced by the Centre for Mental Health Research (CMHR) at the Australian National University (ANU).

www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
The Black Dog Institute is dedicated to advancing the understanding, diagnosis and management of the depressive disorders. The Institute is attached to the Prince of Wales Hospital and affiliated with the University of New South Wales.