As the summer departs and the winter blues begin to set in a mental health centre in Bolton is encouraging people to attend their classes and fight off seasonal depression.
The Mental Health Independent Support Team (MhIST) has been running classes to help those struggling with depression and has now made a fresh plea to offer people support.
According to the Mental Health Foundation, one in four people will experience some kind of mental health problem over the course of a year, with depression being the most common mental health disorder in Britain.
Mark Durkin, MhIST’s Self Help Group Team Leader, said: “We provide an understanding environment for people with depression, so we encourage them to come.”
Mr Durkin also spoke of the advantages of MhIST’s depression groups, saying: “As a charity, everything we offer is free. With some places, they offer a programme that runs for a certain number of weeks and is then finished with you. Here, anyone is welcome to come for any period of time.
“The goal is recovery.”
The plea comes at a time when seasonal affective disorder (SAD) becomes a problem for 7% of the population, with one of the main symptoms being depression.
Helen Hanson of The Seasonal Affective Disorder Association (SADA) said: “We used to think that SAD affected more women than men but it may just be that women are more likely to admit depression and to seek help.
“It is certainly prevalent in both sexes and can start at any age.”
With regards to talking about their problems, Mr Durkin believes it helps sufferers to ‘see a face’.
“Anyone can get in touch with me and come in and talk about what it is they’re dealing with. We can discuss anything,” he said.
To get in touch with Mark, either call 01204527200 or email him at [email protected]
Image courtesy of, with thanks
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