TREATMENTS AND SERVICES

There are a variety of treatment options available for people affected by depression. Most of these are available through your GP.

There are many things that can affect what treatment options you are offered including what is available in your area; waiting times; how unwell you are; the circumstances surrounding your depression; your physical health; and your doctor’s understanding of depression.

Official guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend that people experiencing mild to moderate depression are offered information and advice, exercise programmes and access to psychological treatments; whilst people who are diagnosed with moderate to severe depression should be offered antidepressant medication before engaging with other treatment options.

Most people affected by depression are successfully treated by their GP but if you are very unwell, unresponsive to treatment or your depression has lasted for a long time you may be referred to specialist mental health services, usually a Community Mental Health Team.  They may offer new treatment options including regular supervision with a mental health nurse, referral to a psychiatrist, talking treatments with a counsellor, therapist or clinical psychologist, a local self-management course, occupational therapy, going to a day hospital, or going into hospital as an inpatient

You may also have the following services in your area:  drop in centres, resource centres, advocacy, and crisis teams.