Depression 

How common?  

• Can affect anyone young to elderly and very common.    
• In NZ 1:6 have mental health issues, 16% will suffer depression over lifetime 

How do we recognise it? 

• Feeling low, sad, fatigued, sleep, not wanting to socialise. 
• People can feel down however  start to talk depression when it interferes with day to day activities. 
• Can be mild , moderate, severe. For some people persistent more than 2 years. 

What causes it? 

• Some comes out of blue. 
• Other triggered by life events – death, trauma, , life changes, interestingly major surgery . 

What should I do? 

• Talk to someone. Friend, family, help lines.  
• Good idea to visit and talk to GP - Help is available 

What can be done? 

• Lifestyle interventions 
• Counselling 
• In some cases medication. 

Biggest Message:  

• Depression can  be treated.