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Depression is common -it affects 1 in 7 Australians. Symptoms of depression may include feeling overwhelmed by sadness throughout the day for 2 weeks or more, and often involves sleep and appetite changes. Depression can affect a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviour, making it more challenging to cope with daily life and disrupting their ability to study, work, and maintain relationships. If you are concerned about your mental health, or the mental health of someone you care about, it’s important you speak with a health professional, such as a GP. A mental health assessment usually involves a discussion or answering a questionnaire, as well as a physical examination. This will help your doctor identify the cause of your symptoms. Depression can be treated with medicines and through other approaches and you can ask your GP for support and advice.

• If you or someone close to you is talking about self-harm or suicide, do not ignore this — seek urgent medical attention, or call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance, or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

Source : https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/depression