Coping with Depression

Depression is a profound challenge that exists on a wide spectrum, ranging from minor and fleeting to severe, highly debilitating, and long-term. While it is clearly a major struggle for the individuals afflicted, it also presents significant, complex challenges for their family, friends, colleagues, and employers. Unfortunately, depression is commonly prone to considerable oversimplification—often dismissed as mere sadness or regarded as something that can be overcome by simply heeding the call to ‘pull yourself together’. This simplistic view is dangerous, as the causes and consequences of depression are varied and complex and must be considered carefully to avoid potentially making a difficult situation worse.

This essential course provides a basic but robust foundation of understanding of depression, its varied manifestations, and its widespread impact. It is designed to equip anyone affected by depression—whether directly or indirectly—to be better prepared to rise to the challenges involved. With today’s fully justified emphasis on health and wellbeing, it is essential that issues relating to depression and its consequences are not marginalized. Simply hoping that depression will resolve itself of its own accord is a risky and potentially costly business in both human suffering and financial terms. This course addresses the critical need for a much better understanding of depression, helping you to confidently address concerns and provide informed support.