We all have times when we feel down or stressed, but if you are feeling negative or despairing a lot of the time, you may have depression. Other symptoms can be a loss of interest in things you normally enjoy, feelings of low self-worth and problems with sleeping and eating.

Depression can vary from mild to chronic but the good news is that there is help and treatment available.

If you are struggling and finding things difficult, it’s important to talk to someone you trust who can help you get the support you need. This might be a family member, a friend, your GP or a worker at a gay youth group.

If you are feeling low and stressed but you don’t think you have depression or anxiety you could try the following. But if you don’t feel any better try talking to someone.

• Get enough sleep
• Eat healthily
• Exercise
• Talk to someone
• Have a bath
• Read a book
• Learn something new
• Do something for someone else.

What do I do if I feel suicidal?

Feeling like killing yourself is common among people who are depressed, but it is important to know that there is help and you are not alone.

For immediate help you can call Samaritans 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 08457 90 90 90. They have been trained to help people in your situation. You can also call them if you are worried about a friend or just need someone to talk to.

And for more long-term help, it would be useful to talk to a counsellor who can help you deal with your problems and hopefully find some solutions to improve your life. You can get a referral from your GP, or if you go to a youth group for gay people talk to a worker there, they should be able to make a referral for you.

You might also find these links to Mind and Young Minds useful.

This article was last reviewed on: 26/10/11
Date due for next review: 26/10/13