[share]?
Everyone has a cause close to their hearts. The artworks featured in this editorial are not reflective of the cause, so throw them some favourites.. but while you're looking theres some information that could save your life - or someone elses.

How can you help? Its simple. On the next deviation you post, why not put a little about your favourite cause in the artists comments. Awareness CAN and has saved lives...

DID YOU KNOW...
Between 5 and 10 per cent of the population are suffering from the illness to some extent at any one time.


Depression is very common. Almost anybody can develop the illness; it is NOT a sign of weakness. Depression is also treatable. You may need to see a doctor, but there are things you can do yourself or things you can do to help somebody suffering from the illness. What you cannot do is ' PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER ' - no matter whether this is what you think you should be able to do, or what other people tell you to do.

THE CHANCES ARE...
Over a lifetime you have a 20 per cent, or one in five, chance of having an episode of depression.

In community surveys, 2 per cent of the population suffer from pure depression at any one time. Some have a mild form of the illness, some moderate and some severe, in roughly equal numbers. Another 8 per cent of the population suffer from a mixture of anxiety and depression at any one time.

CHILDISHNESS
Depressive illness, or what doctors call major depressive disorder, occurs in 2 to 4 per cent of children, although is rare under the age of eight.

...But it becomes more common after puberty, rising to 4 to 8 per cent of adolescents.

THE EPIDEMIC
The lifetime rate of depression is 8 per cent for men and 12 per cent for women, and these figures seem to be rising... Fast.

THE SYMPTOMS
Being unable to gain pleasure from activities that normally would be pleasurable.

Losing interest in normal activities, hobbies and everyday life.

Feeling tired all of the time and having no energy.

Difficulty sleeping or waking early in the morning (though some feel that they can't get out of bed and 'face the world' ).

Having a poor appetite, no interest in food and losing weight (though some people overeat and put on weight - 'comfort eating' ).

Losing interest in *whispers* sex.

Finding it difficult to concentrate and think straight.

Feeling restless, tense and anxious.

Being irritable.

Losing self-confidence.

Avoiding other people.

Finding it harder than usual to make decisions.

Feeling useless and inadequate - 'a waste of space'.

Feeling guilty about who you are and what you have done.

Feeling hopeless - that nothing will make things better.

Thinking about suicide - this is very common. If you feel this way, talk to somebody about it. If you think somebody else might be thinking this way, ask them about it - IT WILL NOT MAKE THEM MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE.

WHAT TO DO
Talk to people about how you feel. Don't bottle things up. It is NOT a sign of weakness to get help for your problems, in the same way that it would not be to get medical help for a broken leg or a chest infection.

Although you may not be able to do the things you normally would (such as work), try to keep active as much as you can. Lying in bed or sitting thinking about your problems can make them seem worse. Taking physical exercise can also help depression and keep your mind off your worries.

Do not increase your alcohol intake to try and 'drown your sorrows' or help you sleep better. Alcohol will only make the depression worse and harder to treat.

If you are having problems sleeping, try not to lie in bed thinking about your problems and anxieties. Do something to take your mind off your worries such as reading or listening to the radio.

Always remember that you are suffering from an illness. It is not you being weak, and you can NOT simply ' pull yourself together'. Your illness is treatable. You are also NOT ALONE. Depression is extremely common.

THE TABOO SUBJECT
There are extremely high rates of self injury, with as many as 1 in 100 young women being admitted to hospital at least once with self inflicted, deliberate, injuries.

For women, it is the most common cause of acute medical admission, while for men it’s second only to heart disease.

The majority of people who self-harm have experienced major life events such as child abuse, broken homes or criminal records.

The seriousness of self-harm should not be underestimated. One to two per cent of people who deliberately self-harm go on to take their own life within two years.

(Not so funny now, is it?)

While people who have a psychiatric illness account for 15 to 20 per cent of cases, self-harm is often unplanned and is a response to a crisis in a person's life.

Serious suicidal intent is present in up to 15 per cent of those who self-harm.

SUICIDE
There are around 4000 recorded suicides per year in the UK, but it is estimated that suicide is under-reported by 30 to 50 per cent.

It is among the 10 most common causes of death, and the fourth most common for young adults.

One in six people who take their own life leave a note.

Up to 90 per cent of people who take their own life have a psychiatric illness, with 70 per cent having some symptoms of depression, if not a clear depressive illness. Overall, 15 per cent of people with depression, schizophrenia or alcohol problems will commit suicide.

DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE...
Suicidal ideas are expressed by 68 per cent of people before they act.

If you know someone in distress you should talk to someone about it, not assume you know best because of the medias perceptions.. This stuff DOES happen in real life, to real people.

HELP
Samaritans 08457 90 90 90

[share me]
I hope you found this editorial both pretty and informative. I'd like to thank ALL the artists whos work I featured. There will be more features coming up - in different colours.

Remember, share your chosen cause with your DA friends, you could so easily save a life by a few minutes of your time.


I guess thats why they call it the blues.

*Flutterings