Where to find support when coping with severe depression

Depression affects one in six people at some point in their lives. We all experience lows sometimes, but here’s where to find help when it becomes more serious.

Mature man in therapy explains to therapist

Depression affects one in six people at some point in their lives. We all experience lows sometimes, but here’s where to find help when it becomes more serious.

That means that, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, three million Australians are living with depression or anxiety at any time. Women are typically more likely to seek help than men, and while there are many reasons for this, research indicates that men in particular often feel shame and a sense of not feeling “masculine” enough to deal with the issue internally.

Depression can occur in anyone, young or old. Symptoms are often similar but there can be some differences. For example, young children may have difficulty in expressing that they are depressed, they could show signs of irritability, have unexplained aches and pains, lose interest in playing with friends or have trouble at school. In older people, depression can often be left undiagnosed or dismissed as just being old age, even though more than 15 per cent of adults aged over the age of 60 have identified with experiencing some form of mental disorder.

We all feel sad, moody or low from time to time, some people experience these feelings intensely, for long periods (weeks, months or even years) and sometimes without any apparent reason. Depression is more than just a low mood – it's a serious condition that affects your physical and mental health.

In fact, according to the World Health Organisation, it’s the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. It becomes particularly common following an adverse life event like unemployment, bereavement or psychological trauma. Despite that, Australian Bureau of Statistics data estimates only 35 per cent of Australians living with depression or anxiety access treatment.

There is no one answer for why depression occurs ranging in various physical symptoms such as low energy, digestive issues, loss of appetite, increase in sleep and lack of concentration. Often, emotional symptoms can appear in the form of feeling sad every day, crying for no reason, feeling worthless or suicidal thoughts.

Receiving help from a leading facility such as Albert Road Clinic, which is an 80 bed private psychiatric facility located close to Melbourne CBD, can be intimidating. However, it’s an excellent first step down the road to improving your mental health.

The clinic is a specialist facility committed to excellent inpatient and outpatient care which is evidenced by accreditation by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. Albert Road Clinic is a member of Ramsay Health Care, Australia's largest private hospital operator.

The clinic provides the highest standard of care in a secure, comfortable and supportive environment. Care is tailored to individual needs, and features collaboration between multidisciplinary teams of consultant psychiatrists, visiting medical practitioners, registered nurses and allied health professionals.

The staff believes that personalised care contributes to an effective recovery. Albert Road Clinic prides itself in offering care across the life cycle for those experiencing a range of psychiatric conditions.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Albert Road Clinic is a private mental health hospital in Melbourne’s CBD, Specialising in inpatient, day patient outpatient and community-based mental health care. Learn more.