Depression affects about 121 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In my experience as a practicing psychiatrist, I've seen that many people with depression don't realize that they have the condition or that it's treatable, says Mitchell Mathis, M.D., deputy director of the Division of Psychiatry Products at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some who suffer from depression don't recognize the symptoms, or they attribute them to lack of sleep or a poor diet. Others realize they are depressed, but they feel too fatigued or ashamed to seek help. Not all depression requires treatment with medication. Studies have shown that the best way to treat a patient with the more severe form of major depressive disorder is through both therapy and prescribed antidepressant medication, Mathis says. They work best in combination with one another.

The Self-Care Depression Program is based on the experience of the authors and on scientific research about which strategies work best in managing depression. It is intended for: individuals with depressed mood concerned partners, family members or friends who want to help a depressed individual This book is meant to provide accurate information about depression. It is not a psychological or medical treatment, and is not a replacement for treatment where this is needed. If expert assistance or treatment is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

A self help guide developed by the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to help you develop a healthy level of self-esteem.

Mental illness is a broad term for large categories of mental disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, personality disorders, substance use disorders and addictions, and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. The symptoms of mental illness can be mild, moderate or severe and may appear at different times in a person’s life. Who can mental illness affect? Anyone. People with mental disorders are school teachers, doctors, mechanics, lawyers, homeless people, university presidents, artists and corporate CEOs. Just look around any office, restaurant or public place, and you can be sure that someone nearby is experiencing, or has experienced, some form of mental illness. This 130 page document provides basic information that will help you to determine if it is possible that you, or someone you are close to, is experiencing a mental illness or addiction issue.

An informative 2 page brochure produced by the British Columbia Partners for Mental Health and Addictions information.

If you suffer some form of depression you are 6 to 7 times more likely to find yourself unemployed than a person with no symptoms of the illness. In addition, of those people in the depression group who found new employment 33% had to take lower paying jobs due to health reasons. This means that the overall standard of living for a depressed person and their family was more likely to be lowered as a result of unemployment and taking new employment at a reduced wage. Recent surveys have shown that more than half of you reading these words believe that you will experience depression at some point in your lives so these are facts that could directly affect you personally and not just some anonymous participants in a psychological study! And remember, this applies only to depression and none of the many other mental illnesses that exist.

A self help guide developed by the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) containing useful information on how to prevent and cope with mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.

There is increasing understanding of how psychological trauma (which comes from the Greek verb “diatitreno,” meaning “to penetrate”) causes conditions such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Many people exposed to life-threatening or overwhelming traumatic events have short-term responses that last for days or weeks. These responses can include dissociation (feeling unreal or cut off from one’s emotions), nightmares, flashbacks, heightened fear, poor concentration, sleeplessness, and anxiety. If such responses occur and last for less than a month, it is called Acute Stress Disorder. For many people, these acute symptoms resolve over time, often with the help of their support system or treatment. For some people, however, disabling symptoms persist for months or years after the traumatic event(s). When these responses to trauma interfere with daily functioning and meet specific diagnostic criteria, the individual is diagnosed with PTSD.

2003 brought surprises for both researchersand treating physicians. In light of the results of several large randomized controlled trials, regulatory agencies in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada declared that paroxetine was contraindicated in the treatment of major depressive disorder in patients under 18 years of age. These trials had shown paroxetine to be ineffective and to be associated with double the rate of suicidality and aggression compared to placebo.4