DNot so ‘mental’ is a non-profit organisation aimed at breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness.
1 in 5 people living in Australia will suffer from some form of mental illness throughout their lives. Due to the stigma surrounding mental illness, people who suffer from a mental illness are left to feel like they are not supported by their family, friends and society.
This support group is aimed at educating individuals in order to create a greater understanding of mental illness. By increasing awareness, we can work together to break the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Depression!
The first mental illness I’d like to talk about it Depression.
Image courtesy of “Lets talk about mental illness”
What is Depression?
We all feel sad at times in our lives but depression is more than just a down moment.
Depression is more than just a low mood – it’s a serious condition that affects your physical and mental health.
According to Beyond Blue, “Depression affects how you feel about yourself and makes life more difficult to manage from day to day.”
Types of Depression
There are three types of depression that is evident in society being; major, melancholia and psychotic depression.
- Major Depression – Major depression, also known as clinical depression, involves low moods or loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities. The symptoms are experienced most days and last for at least two weeks. These symptoms can impact all areas of personal and work life.
- Melancholia – Melancholia is a severe form of depression where major changes of a person starts more slowly than other forms of depression. The most evident characteristic is loss in pleasure for everything or almost everything.
- Psychotic Depression – Psychotic depression is when an individual loses touch with reality and experience psychosis. This can involve hallucinations or delusions, it can also involve paranoia.
Services Available
There are many services available, both within the University of New South Wales and in New South Wales.
University of New South Wales Counselling Services
For further information on depression visit Beyond Blue.
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/types-of-depression
NOT SO 'MENTAL' 