Peer Support

Depression thrives on isolation - why help it along?

Friends and other students can do a lot to help you resist depression. They often know and understand you best. But some people worry about over-burdening their friends or housemates and use this as an excuse not to confide in them...

Friends can't:

• be your only source of support
• take responsibility for keeping you alive or safe, or making you happy
• act as your unofficial therapist
• be "on call" at all hours

Friends can:

• know a bit about what is going on for you
• help with distractions and other activities
• be there to listen sometimes
• know how to tell you what their limits are and when they need a break
• support you in finding professional help

Let your friends know that you don't expect anything unrealistic and you won't overburden them. Give your friends a copy of the worried about someone else? page for more ideas.

Check out help offered by other students

• Student union - usually has a welfare sabbatical officer and welfare reps who are available at certain times for students to approach, may run various activities which can be part of your strategies (eg. volunteering schemes), should have info about other student support schemes listed below.
• Peer support schemes - available at some universities, consisting of student volunteers trained to provide listening and support and appropriate referrals for professional help.
• Nightline - student listening service based on the Samaritans model, often providing a source of anonymous and confidential support through the night; look on campus intranet or noticeboards for contact details.
• Groups - some university or college counselling services or student unions run therapy or support groups for students (see alternatives).
• Clubs and societies - not usually a direct source of support, but ways to meet other students in smaller groups and to reduce isolation.

Others affected by depression

Sometimes it can feel really useful to hear about or be in touch with others who have experienced similar things. Read the real student stories on this site, or look at the other useful websites page for information about depression support groups.

How about working to resist depression on your campus?

Perhaps more needs to be done on your campus to tackle depression and its effects? Have a look at the students against depression page and think about how could get involved in working for changes. After all, your experience gives you valuable expertise on the subject.

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