If you鈥檙e experiencing depression, you鈥檙e certainly not alone.听At some point in their life, many people will go through it:听
- 1 in 7 experience depression before they are 24 years old
- 1 in 8 men will experience depression听
- 1 in 5 women will experience depression
- 1 in 4 New Zealanders will experience anxiety听
- 1 in 5 people with depression or anxiety will experience both at the same time听
听
Key signs
- Depressed mood: frequently feeling down, hopeless, empty
- Loss of interest/pleasure: having little interest or pleasure in things that you used to enjoy.
听
Other possible signs and symptoms
- irritability or restlessness
- feeling tired all the time, or a general loss of energy
- sleeping problems - either sleeping too much or too little
- losing or gaining weight
- feeling bad about yourself or things you have done
- problems with concentration听
- reduced sex drive听
- thinking about death a lot
- thoughts of harming yourself听
It is common for people who have depression to experience anxiety as well.听If you think you might be experiencing depression, you might want to take a look at the听Wellbeing Hub anxiety page听for more听information too.
听
Strategies for supporting yourself
- Seek professional support. There are plenty of people and services at UC who can help - find out about these听here.
- Talk with friends and family. Share what is going on for you and how they can best support you.
- Eat well. This can certainly feel hard to achieve as a university student, but it isn鈥檛 impossible. Hear from our听听with their tips and tricks.
- Stay active and do things that makes you feel good. There are heaps of ways on and around campus for you to rest, relax and recharge.听听are a few suggestions from current UC students.
- Limit your alcohol use. Check out this video to hear from some current UC students as they discuss听.
- Practice good sleep habits. Again, this can be easier said than done, but a few of our students have some tips. Check them out听
听
Strategies for supporting others
People experiencing depression can be very withdrawn, lethargic, self-ruminating and possibly suicidal. Being a concerned and supportive friend can be invaluable for them during that time. Talking candidly with the person regarding your concern for their wellbeing is the first step. As you talk:听
- Express your concern and willingness to help听
- Be supportive, patient and non-judgmental
- Avoid trying to cheer up the person 听
- Avoid saying 鈥淚 know how you feel鈥澨
If you believe that the person is suicidal, or you hold serious concerns for their wellbeing, encourage them to seek professional help. You can use some of the support information provided on this website to help you with this.听听
听
Support on-campus
If you or someone you know is in distress on campus, please contact听UC Security听on 0800 823 637
- Te Whare Hauora | UC Health Centre听- for GP and student counselling services
- Atawhai 膧konga | Student Care听- to talk to a Student Advisor for support and practical strategies and tips.听
- There are dedicated 惭腻辞谤颈, Pacific and Rainbow Student Advisors UC for support and practical strategies and tips
- Student Accessibility Service听- for academic accommodations
听
Support off-campus
听
听Need More Information?
听
Need Help?
- Finding support at UC
- 24/7 support听text听1737
- :听0800 111 757听or Text 4202
- ,听0800 111 757听or Text 5626
听
If you require urgent or crisis mental health care please call Crisis Resolution on听0800 920 092听or dial 111.
听
