We all feel sad or “down” from time to time – it’s part of being human. For young people it’s normal to have occasional mood swings, feel irritable sometimes and to be sensitive to rejections and criticism. This can make it harder to tell whether you’re experiencing “normal” feelings or whether you are becoming depressed.

Depression is one of the most common health issues for young people in Australia. You may be experiencing depression if, for more than two weeks, you’ve felt sad, depressed or irritable most of the time, or you’ve lost interest or pleasure in your usual activities.

Most people are able to recover from depression with the right help. The sooner you get help, the sooner you can recover. Apart from seeking professional help there are a number of things you can do to maintain good mental health. Regular physical exercise, eating well, practising relaxation, expressing your feelings, and doing things that you enjoy are just some of the things that can help.

Take this opportunity to speak anonymously online to our mental health professionals and headspace Youth National Reference Group members and hear from others about their concerns and experiences. Join us Sunday 16 July between 7 – 8pm AEST.

To register, and set a reminder for the day, follow this link.

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