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Real Student Stories

Picture of a student Meet Charlie

Picture of Tomas story archive >> '; document.getElementById('storyimage').src='images/anna100.jpg';">

Picture of Anna Having never had significant low feelings before, when Charlie felt low after some stress in his A-level year he hid how he felt from friends and family, but found himself in a worsening downward spiral. When he finally confided in someone it made a big difference... more > >

Also in "Depression In Context"...

“I think in general there needs to be more openness about depression, taking away the stigma. I just felt like I was the only person my age suffering from it. If there was more awareness of other young people, then it would be so much more comforting for people. I would have had more understanding of what was going on for me.” Anna

“I'm a course rep at uni and I find I now keep an eye out for people who are going through things. I think me taking the focus off myself and giving to other people, allows me to be less self absorbed. I try not to get absorbed with my own problems and so weighed down.” Tonya

Students Against Depression
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Students Against Depression

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Most important part of the site

This website has been developed with the help of student consultants who have been affected themselves by depression, low mood or suicidal thoughts. Although the site offers lots of information and resources for tackling depression, the real experiences of depression described by these students are the most important aspect of what this site has to offer.

You are not alone

Depression thrives on isolation. Sharing in the experiences and strategies of others breaks that isolation simply by showing you that you are not alone. Your own experiences will be unique to you, the exact types of depressed thinking will be your own. But the hope is that by seeing how many different ways these students have tackled depression, you will be inspired to find what works for you.

Making a difference

The student consultants did not only contribute their own experiences, they have also worked together in an online focus group for this website. They have commented on and contributed to every aspect of the website content and presentation. In this way, they have used their difficult and painful experiences to build something constructive and worthwhile - with the potential for making a meaningful difference to others.

Get connected!

Particularly as you start to feel like you're starting to put your own depression in its place, you could also take it a step further and start making connections with other students yourself. There are many students who have been affected by depression, on your own campus and throughout the UK (and beyond). By connecting up with each other, you all stand a better chance of making an effective stand against depression. Here are some ideas of where to start:

Join a group on your campus
Ask at your campus counselling service about groups, or see if the students' union offers anything. If not, why not get one started yourself? Speak to the students' union welfare officer to see if you can get some help with advertising it and getting it started. You could start small by simply giving your name and contact details to the counselling service or SU welfare office and saying you'd be happy to be contacted by other students affected by depression.
Use your experiences to help others
If you've been affected by depression then you've got a lot of expertise! Why not put it to good use in helping others? You could offer to be a mentor or peer support worker - many universities and colleges have peer support training schemes. Or you could run for office and become a welfare rep yourself.
Get campaigning
Make the environment on your campus a less comfortable place for depression... Could you lobby for better services? At some universities, students affected by depression can get referrals for free or reduced fee sessions at the sports centre, for example. Or perhaps you could start a campaign against stigmatising of mental health issues on campus. The NUS (National Union of Students) has run this kind of campaign in recent years, so would be a good source of information and support.

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More about student experiences: depression in student life , real student stories
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Real Student Stories

Students Against Depression

Most important part of the site

You are not alone

Making a difference

Get connected!

Join a group on your campus

Use your experiences to help others

Get campaigning

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