Depression is a type of mood disorder. It can change the way you feel and act and can also affect your ability to function in your daily life. It has both mental and physical symptoms – it’s different from typical feelings of sadness or grief.

This disorder affects people of all ages and stages of life. People who are depressed can’t just, “snap out of it”. You can’t make it just go away.

Depression can cause people to feel hopeless about the future and even think about suicide.

Thinking about death or suicide is a serious symptom of depression. If you or someone you care about talks about feeling helpless or is showing warning signs of suicide, find help right away. Call the BC Crisis Line at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433), or dial 9-8-8 for the national suicide crisis line.

Depression is a common health condition. It is not a personal weakness and it is not anyone’s fault; it is a disease. There are also different reasons why depression happens.

Why do I feel depressed?

Depression can start for many different reasons, or sometimes, for no reason at all. Sometimes it can be linked to a family history of depression (your genes) or stressful life events – like the loss of a job or loved one, the end of a relationship, or other pressures.

Depression is related to irregularities with your brain’s activity levels, and chemicals in your brain that can become out of balance.

It affects people from all walks of life – of all ages, genders, ethnic groups, and professions.

Learn about:

• Symptoms of depression
• What to do about depression