Real Student Stories

True stories

This website has been developed with the help of students who have themselves been affected by low mood, depression or suicidal thinking and who have found ways to tackle this depression and overcome suicidal thoughts. You can read their stories here, told entirely in their own words (edited from face-to-face interviews). They provide just twelve examples of the many different ways in which depression can affect someone, as well as some of the many different ways in which depression can be tackled.

How to use these stories

There may be a variety of ways in which reading these stories can be helpful:

You can get a general sense of what it was like for these particular people when they were affected by depression.
You can see whether any of the stories has any similarities with your own story, helping you identify more of the factors which may be playing a role in your vulnerability to depression.
You can compare the different stories, noticing how people have been affected in different ways. Similarly, even if your circumstances are similar to those in one of the stories, the changes brought by depression may have been very different for you
You can notice how different things worked for different people, taking inspiration to find what works for you in tackling depression and seeking help.

Click here to see an example of how understanding your own story better can help you choose appropriate strategies for you. Click on the pictures to the left of each of the summaries below to read each story in full.

Charlie

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...

Sarah

When depression hit for a second time, postgraduate student Sarah felt like she couldn’t face trying to get better again. Anti-depressants lifted her mood enough for counselling sessions to start making a real difference...

Andy

After bouts of depression during 6th form and at uni, Andy found counselling to be a revelation despite initial scepticism, helping him recognise how earlier experiences had affected him...

Tasha

Tasha had noticed a regular pattern of mood swings during her teens, but was only recently diagnosed officially with bipolar disorder. She has learnt self-help strategies to supplement medication...

Anala

Body images issues and her sister's serious mental health problems led to food problems and depression from Anala's early teens. She resisted taking medication and has only recently started to seek help...

Craig

A homophobic upbringing meant Craig struggled to come out to his parents and to fully accept himself, leading eventually to drug and alcohol addiction. Inpatient rehab helped him return to uni…

Katie

Bullying at school set Katie off in a downward spiral towards a suicide attempt at 17. Following a bout of chronic fatigue syndrome she has learnt what helps her combat both CFS and depression...

Keisha

Growing up as a twin, Keisha struggled to find her own identity and got into the habit of presenting a facade of perfection to hide her depressed feelings. She is starting to learn to open up a bit more to others...

Daniel

Missing home at the start of his first year, Daniel found himself increasingly severely affected by low mood triggered by unhappiness on his course and relationship difficulties. He is proud of successfully tackling things without using anti-depressants...

Hannah

Low self worth spiralled into depression during Hannah’s first year. Anti-depressant medication and a supportive academic department have helped her continue at uni...

Tomas

After a tough childhood in the Ukraine, Tomas was suddenly moved to the UK as a teenager and had difficulties relating to his new stepfather and adapting in school. Depression led to a suicide attempt and has affected his studies...