Depression & Suicide

Libby Smith
Jan 18, 2022
2 min read

“Each year 40% of us have quite severe feelings of

depression, unhappiness, and disappointment.

Of these, 20% experience a clinical depression, in

which low mood occurs with sleep difficulty, change in

appetite, hopelessness, pessimism, or thoughts of suicide.”

This is the introduction given to depression in the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialities and the sentiment is one we want to reiterate: we all have down days, and we all get sad, but those with depression are blanketed by such exhausting symptoms that these feelings of sadness, hopelessness and fatigue are all consuming.

Sometimes these painful feelings lead to cries for help, in the form of self-harm, or in severe, extreme cases, suicidal attempts. Not all self-harm is suicidal, but both are signs that your depression is severe, and you should be accessing professional help with urgency.

Suicidal ideations are thoughts of no longer wanting to be alive, or the desire to take your own life. It is not a normal part of depression, but it is by no means a sign of weakness.

Depression cruelly takes away the belief that tomorrow could be a better day, but we promise, even if it gets worse beforehand, it will always, always get better.

Seeking help, admitting weakness, and acknowledging struggle is inexplicably brave. But there is help out there. There are people who can listen. There are things that can be done. All that’s left for you to do is to reach out.

If you are at all worried about yourself or someone you know, please consider using the resources below.