Managing day-to-day life

Working with depression

Working with depression and living with depression can be tough, but it doesn’t have to stop you. Work can provide structure, financial stability and an opportunity to socialise, as well as playing an important role in the recovery process.¹ Here are a few tips to help you with working with depression:

• Talking to anyone at work about your depression is your choice. But it may help to talk to colleagues so you don’t feel you have to hide your condition, or you may want to discuss access to available support with your HR team.
• Under the Equality Act 2010, depression can be considered a disability if it has a long-term effect (if it lasts, or is likely to last, 12 months) on your normal day-to-day activity, such as using a computer, working set times or interacting with people.² If this applies to you and a feature of your work is causing you a big disadvantage because of it, you are entitled to support from your employer, like the possibility of working from home, changing your physical work space or adapting your working hours.³
• If you want to speak to someone at work about your depression and what changes would help you or your recovery, try to plan the conversation in advance. Choose a location and time that make you feel most comfortable.

Depression and your relationships

Strong, healthy relationships can help you with living with depression by providing a support network of people to talk to, so you feel less isolated. A survey by the Office for National Statistics revealed that almost 87% of adults in UK feel they could rely on close family and friends, should they have a serious issue, boosting a sense of wellbeing.⁴

Those in troubled relationships are three times more likely to suffer from depression than those who aren’t.⁴ Research has shown that more than 60% of those with depression cited relationships as the prime cause of their illness.⁴ Depression can make it difficult to maintain relationships as it can drain you (or your partner or family member) of energy and make it almost impossible to communicate. This can lead to feelings of guilt and a further lowering of self-esteem.⁴

What’s really important is finding someone to talk to about your depression, whether it’s a friend, partner, relative or GP. Whoever it is, they can help you get the support you need to help you deal with the condition on your terms, and ultimately, help you with living with depression.

If you’re uncomfortable talking to someone you know, then the Samaritans may be a good alternative. Their helpline is available 24/7, 365 days a year, (details on https://www.samaritans.org or call free on 116 123). They provide a sympathetic ear with no judgement or pressure, without telling you what to do and can provide details of specialist organisations that may be able to help. They can help you with living and working with depression.

Living with depression in Black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) communities

Research has shown that rates of mental health problems and those living with depression can be different for people from BAME communities than for white people.⁵ Compared to white people, black women are more likely to experience a common mental health illness such as anxiety disorder or depression, while older South Asian women are an at-risk group for suicide.⁵ It’s also been found that more white people receive treatment for mental health issues than those from BAME backgrounds and they tend to have better outcomes.⁵

A survey conducted by Mind revealed that existing inequalities in housing, employment, finances and other issues has had a greater impact on the mental health of people from different Black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) groups than white people during the pandemic.⁶

Organisations that can help include:

• BMHS
• Black Minds Matter
• Diverse Cymru
• Nilaari

Living with depression in the LGBTQ+ community

Mental health problems such as depression or self-harm are more common among people who are members of the LGBTQ+ community.⁷ It may be as a result of experiencing discrimination, bullying, homophobia or transphobia, social isolation or rejection due to their sexuality.⁷

Members of the LGBTQ+ community are one and a half times more likely to be living with depression and anxiety than the rest of the population.⁸ Suicide, suicidal thoughts and self-harm are also more prevalent for people in the community.⁸ And a Stonewall study revealed that 52% of LGBT people suffered depression in the previous year.⁹

Organisations that can help include:

• LGBT Foundation
• London Friend
• Mind
• Pink Therapy
• Stonewall
• Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline

Suicidal thoughts

If you’re having suicidal thoughts or thinking about harming yourself, get urgent help immediately. You won’t be wasting anyone’s time. You can call 111 (free from a landline or mobile) or request an emergency GP appointment if you need urgent help. Go straight to A&E if you feel you cannot keep yourself safe and your life is at risk. You can also call Samaritans, a confidential support line for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair (details on https://www.samaritans.org or call free on 116 123.)