If you require mental health crisis support, please contact your local mental health services, your GP, or telephone 111 or the emergency services.

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Exploring Depression

Current Status
Not Enrolled
Price
Free
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This course looks at depression. It is one of the most common mental health conditions and can affect people of all ages. It looks at the causes and common symptoms of depression, as well as the different types that people can experience.

The course also explores living with depression and how it can be treated. As well as how to find further help and support if you or someone you know needs it. 

This course has 12 lessons. It will take approximately 1 to 2 hours to complete, but this timing will depend on how fast you read and how long you spend on the reflective questions. 

You do not need to complete the whole course in one go. If you leave and come back to the course, it will remember where you got up to.

Important:
Please note

If you want a certificate for doing this course, press the ‘mark complete’ button at the bottom of each page.

Last updated March 2025.

Where to find help and support

Where to get support or find out more

Get advice from 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if:

    • You need urgent help for your mental health

Get help from 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option.

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

    • someone's life is at risk – for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose

    • you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe

A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone's time.

Mental health charities

Bipolar UK: 

A charity offering support for people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder. You can access their website by clicking on the following link: Bipolar UK

CALM: 

The Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.

Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight).

You can access the CALM website by clicking the following link: The Calm Zone

Men's Health Forum: 

24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.

The Men's Mental health website can be accessed by clicking the following link:

Men's Mental Health Forum

Mental Health Foundation:

Information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.

The Mental Health Foundation website can be accessed by clicking the following link:

Mental Health.org

Mind: 

A charity promoting the views and needs of people with mental health problems.

Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm).

Access the Mind Website by clicking the following link:
Mind

Rethink Mental Illness: 

Support and advice for people living with mental illness.

Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm).

The Rethink Mental Illness website can be accessed by clicking the following link:

Rethink Mental Illness

Samaritans:

Confidential support for anybody experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline).

To access the Samaritans website click the following link:

Samaritans

SANE: Emotional support, info and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers. 

Text care from the charity Sane can provide comfort and care via text message. You can access information by clicking the following link:

SANE text care

Emotional support can be accessed by clicking the following link: 

SANE support