What is depression and where can I find help to overcome depression?

Depression is more than feeling unhappy or miserable for a brief period, it is feelings of extreme sadness that can last for a long time (weeks or months), and are severe enough to interfere with your daily life. Further information about depression can also be found online via Mind, Sane and The NHS Website.

There are a variety of services and treatments available to people in St Helens to help with depression provided by:

  • For NHS services and support see North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and
    Think Wellbeing -St Helens
  • Books on Prescription
  • Self Help Services – offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help overcome mild to moderate depression. CBT aims to change the way you think and behave in your life, focusing on improving how you deal with problems
  • Samaritans – a listening ear to provide emotional support when feeling despair, distress, depression or suicidal thoughts, Telephone: 116 123
  • St Helens Mind – providing a range of services for local people who are experiencing isolation and distress due to mental ill health
  • Together for Mental Wellbeing – supporting people with mental health problems to live and participate in the local community
  • Wellbeing Enterprises People can refer themselves to the Wellbeing Enterprises or be referred to by their GP/Health Practitioner.

    Check out each organisation’s profile page for further details about services that they offer, and also have a look at some of the other related frequently asked questions below.

Resources for students
Nightline is an information, listening and emotional support service run by students, for students, and open at night when few other services are available. Nightline is confidential and anonymous, and is available through a helpline, e-mail support or 1-to-1 web chat.

Students Against Depression offers information about depression, how to get further support and help, self-help strategies and blogs/stories from other students who have lived with depression.

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is about supporting men, particularly those aged 15-35. It’s about giving you a break, a way of getting things off your chest and sorting your head out. If you’re going through a tough time and live on Merseyside then they could help you get back to enjoying your life. They provide a helpline (0800 58 58 58) and a website full of information, blogs and stories on issues relating to depression and suicide.

Kind To Your Mind campaign has a range of resources, self care apps and information on local crisis support lines.