Donate
Find Help Now

Depression

Disclaimer:

This publication is based on a Mind UK publication and the original version may be found here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/

Thank you to Mind UK for sharing their valuable content with us. Content included in Mental Health A-Z is made available free of charge and does not form part of any commercial activity. The adaptation has been done independently by Mind HK and is intended for general information purposes only.

What treatments are there for depression? 

There are various treatments that have been found to help with depression. This section covers: 

  • self-help resources 
  • talking treatments
  • medication 
  • coming off medication 
  • alternative treatments 
  • treatment for severe and complex depression 
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) 
  • repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). 

There is also information that you may find useful if a treatment isn’t helping you to feel better. 

Remember: you have a right to be involved in your treatment. 

The sort of treatment you’re offered for depression will depend on how much your symptoms are affecting you, and it should take into account your personal preference for what sort of treatment you find helps you. 

See our pages on seeking help for a mental health problem for more information on speaking to your doctor and having your voice heard. 

“I really struggled with the SSRIs, even though my GP told me that was the only course of action. They made me feel worse than I did to start with, then incredibly tired. I fought for a referral for CBT and in the end it saved me.” 

Self-help resources 

A self-help resource might be the first treatment option your doctor offers you, especially if your depression is mild. This is because it’s available quite quickly, and there’s a chance it could help you to feel better without needing to try other options. 

Self-help could be delivered through: 

  • A self-help programme. For example, your family doctor/GP might recommend you work through a self-help programme, often called a self-help manual. A healthcare professional should provide you with support and check your progress, either face-to-face or over the phone. 
  • A computer-based CBT programme for depression. Your family doctor/ GP might refer to this as computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT). Some people find CCBT helps them understand their depression and challenge negative thoughts. Beating the Blues is an example of a CCBT programme that you might find helpful. 
  • A physical activity programme. Your family doctor/ GP might recommend that you join a group exercise class. These are specifically designed for people with depression and run by qualified professionals. 

Talking treatments for depression 

There are many different talking treatments that can be effective in treating depression: 

  • cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) 
  • group-based CBT 
  • interpersonal therapy (IPT) 
  • behavioural activation 
  • psychodynamic psychotherapy 
  • behavioural couples therapy – if you have a long-term partner, and your doctor agrees that it would be useful to involve them in your treatment. 

Your doctor or mental health professional can talk through the options available in your area and help you find the right kind of talking treatment for you. Unfortunately, we know that in many local clinics and hospitals, waiting lists for talking treatments can be very long. 

Our talking therapy and counselling page has more detail about these therapies, and information on how to access them. 

Should I stop therapy if I start to feel better? 

If you’re currently receiving a talking treatment, you don’t have to stop just because you’re feeling better. You can discuss your mood with your therapist and talk about what options might be right for you. 

NICE guidelines recommend CBT or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help you stay well if you’ve had episodes of depression in the past. 

“Talking things through with a counsellor or therapist really helps me to see things more rationally and make connections between reality and inside my head” 

Medication for depression 

If your depression is severe, or if you have not responded to self-help, computerised cognitive behavioural therapy or physical activity, you might also be offered an antidepressant medication, either on its own or in combination with a talking treatment. There are different types of antidepressant: 

Different people find different medications most helpful. You can talk to your doctor about your options – you might find you need to try out a few different types of medication before you find the one that works for you. See our pages on antidepressants for more information. 

“Antidepressants have helped to put me in a place where I was more able to cope with counselling. This required a lot of hard work and I had to accept a completely different way of thinking” 

Coming off medication 

If you are taking medication for depression, it’s important not to stop suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms from antidepressants can be difficult to cope with, and stopping suddenly can be dangerous. See our pages on coming off antidepressants and coming off psychiatric medication for more information. 

If you decide to try coming off your medication, it’s very important to: 

  • get support, preferably from others who have come off successfully and from a professional who understands the process 
  • find out the possible risks and how to minimise them 
  • come off gradually, over a period of time. This is important to prevent unpleasant withdrawal side effects. 

NICE guidelines recommend that you continue to take your antidepressants for at least six months after your episode of depression ends. If you’ve experienced several episodes of depression before, you might want to keep taking your medication if you feel it could help you prevent another episode. 

“I’ve had three experiences of reducing/coming off medication all together with my GP: one was a successful reduction that led to 5 years full time work whilst the other two led to what I believe was ‘rebound psychosis’ (rather than ‘a return to my underlying illness’). I believe this happened because I came off medication too quickly ie over months rather than over a year or more” 

Alternative treatments 

There are also options you can try instead of, or alongside, medication and talking treatments. These include: 

Your doctor may be able to refer you to some of these. You can also contact your local Mind to find out what they have available. 

“Taking care of my diet and body, talking and alternative methods work far better for me” 

Treatment for severe and complex depression 

If your depression is severe and complex, your doctor should refer you to specialist mental health services. They can discuss with you the following options: 

  • Trying talking treatments and medication again. Your healthcare team may suggest a different medication, or a combination of drugs with other treatments. 
  • Medication for psychotic symptoms. If you are experiencing depression with psychotic symptoms, your healthcare team may prescribe antipsychotic medication alongside your current treatment plan. See our pages on psychosis and antipsychotics for more information. 
  • See our page on finding help in a crisis for more information. 
  • Hospital admission. If you are severely depressed and at risk of suicide, self-harm or self-neglect, you may need to be cared for in hospital as an in-patient. A hospital can provide a safe and supportive environment if you are in a state of distress.

“A majority of the treatments I tried were ineffective – but at crisis point, about to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital, I started Interpersonal Psychotherapy and Sertraline. I can honestly say that they saved my life.” 

ECT 

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) should only be considered a treatment option for severe, difficult to treat depressive illness. 

According to NICE guidelines, this could be if you’re experiencing a long and severe period of depression, and either: 

  • other treatments have not worked, or 
  • The situation is life-threatening. 

If you feel like you’re in this situation, your doctor should discuss this option with you in a clear and accessible way before you make any decisions. 

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation 

According to NICE guidelines, you might be offered repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for severe depression that has not responded to other treatments. 

Treatment involves daily sessions of about 30 minutes, lasting for a number of weeks. 

Is neurosurgery ever used to treat depression? 

Neurosurgery for mental disorder (NMD) is only performed very rarely, in extreme circumstances. NMD is only offered if all other treatments have failed and cannot ever be performed without your consent.

What if I don’t feel better? 

Different things work for different people, so if a particular medication or talking treatment doesn’t work for you, your doctor should offer an alternative. 

It’s important to remember that recovery is a journey, and it won’t always be straightforward. You might find it more helpful to focus on learning more about yourself and developing ways to cope, rather than trying to get rid of every symptom of your depression.

Instagram Facebook-f Linkedin
What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

 

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 18 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggle.

 

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

What treatments are there for depression?

What treatments are there for depression? 

There are various treatments that have been found to help with depression. This section covers: 

  • self-help resources 
  • talking treatments
  • medication 
  • coming off medication 
  • alternative treatments 
  • treatment for severe and complex depression 
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) 
  • repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). 

There is also information that you may find useful if a treatment isn't helping you to feel better. 

Remember: you have a right to be involved in your treatment. 

The sort of treatment you're offered for depression will depend on how much your symptoms are affecting you, and it should take into account your personal preference for what sort of treatment you find helps you. 

See our pages on seeking help for a mental health problem for more information on speaking to your doctor and having your voice heard. 

“I really struggled with the SSRIs, even though my GP told me that was the only course of action. They made me feel worse than I did to start with, then incredibly tired. I fought for a referral for CBT and in the end it saved me.” 

Self-help resources 

A self-help resource might be the first treatment option your doctor offers you, especially if your depression is mild. This is because it's available quite quickly, and there's a chance it could help you to feel better without needing to try other options. 

Self-help could be delivered through: 

  • A self-help programme. For example, your family doctor/GP might recommend you work through a self-help programme, often called a self-help manual. A healthcare professional should provide you with support and check your progress, either face-to-face or over the phone. 
  • A computer-based CBT programme for depression. Your family doctor/ GP might refer to this as computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT). Some people find CCBT helps them understand their depression and challenge negative thoughts. Beating the Blues is an example of a CCBT programme that you might find helpful. 
  • A physical activity programme. Your family doctor/ GP might recommend that you join a group exercise class. These are specifically designed for people with depression and run by qualified professionals. 

Talking treatments for depression 

There are many different talking treatments that can be effective in treating depression: 

  • cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) 
  • group-based CBT 
  • interpersonal therapy (IPT) 
  • behavioural activation 
  • psychodynamic psychotherapy 
  • behavioural couples therapy – if you have a long-term partner, and your doctor agrees that it would be useful to involve them in your treatment. 

Your doctor or mental health professional can talk through the options available in your area and help you find the right kind of talking treatment for you. Unfortunately, we know that in many local clinics and hospitals, waiting lists for talking treatments can be very long. 

Our talking therapy and counselling page has more detail about these therapies, and information on how to access them. 

Should I stop therapy if I start to feel better? 

If you're currently receiving a talking treatment, you don't have to stop just because you're feeling better. You can discuss your mood with your therapist and talk about what options might be right for you. 

NICE guidelines recommend CBT or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help you stay well if you've had episodes of depression in the past. 

“Talking things through with a counsellor or therapist really helps me to see things more rationally and make connections between reality and inside my head” 

Medication for depression 

If your depression is severe, or if you have not responded to self-help, computerised cognitive behavioural therapy or physical activity, you might also be offered an antidepressant medication, either on its own or in combination with a talking treatment. There are different types of antidepressant: 

Different people find different medications most helpful. You can talk to your doctor about your options – you might find you need to try out a few different types of medication before you find the one that works for you. See our pages on antidepressants for more information. 

“Antidepressants have helped to put me in a place where I was more able to cope with counselling. This required a lot of hard work and I had to accept a completely different way of thinking” 

Coming off medication 

If you are taking medication for depression, it's important not to stop suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms from antidepressants can be difficult to cope with, and stopping suddenly can be dangerous. See our pages on coming off antidepressants and coming off psychiatric medication for more information. 

If you decide to try coming off your medication, it's very important to: 

  • get support, preferably from others who have come off successfully and from a professional who understands the process 
  • find out the possible risks and how to minimise them 
  • come off gradually, over a period of time. This is important to prevent unpleasant withdrawal side effects. 

NICE guidelines recommend that you continue to take your antidepressants for at least six months after your episode of depression ends. If you've experienced several episodes of depression before, you might want to keep taking your medication if you feel it could help you prevent another episode. 

“I've had three experiences of reducing/coming off medication all together with my GP: one was a successful reduction that led to 5 years full time work whilst the other two led to what I believe was 'rebound psychosis' (rather than 'a return to my underlying illness'). I believe this happened because I came off medication too quickly ie over months rather than over a year or more” 

Alternative treatments 

There are also options you can try instead of, or alongside, medication and talking treatments. These include: 

Your doctor may be able to refer you to some of these. You can also contact your local Mind to find out what they have available. 

“Taking care of my diet and body, talking and alternative methods work far better for me” 

Treatment for severe and complex depression 

If your depression is severe and complex, your doctor should refer you to specialist mental health services. They can discuss with you the following options: 

  • Trying talking treatments and medication again. Your healthcare team may suggest a different medication, or a combination of drugs with other treatments. 
  • Medication for psychotic symptoms. If you are experiencing depression with psychotic symptoms, your healthcare team may prescribe antipsychotic medication alongside your current treatment plan. See our pages on psychosis and antipsychotics for more information. 
  • See our page on finding help in a crisis for more information. 
  • Hospital admission. If you are severely depressed and at risk of suicide, self-harm or self-neglect, you may need to be cared for in hospital as an in-patient. A hospital can provide a safe and supportive environment if you are in a state of distress.

“A majority of the treatments I tried were ineffective – but at crisis point, about to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital, I started Interpersonal Psychotherapy and Sertraline. I can honestly say that they saved my life.” 

ECT 

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) should only be considered a treatment option for severe, difficult to treat depressive illness. 

According to NICE guidelines, this could be if you're experiencing a long and severe period of depression, and either: 

  • other treatments have not worked, or 
  • The situation is life-threatening. 

If you feel like you're in this situation, your doctor should discuss this option with you in a clear and accessible way before you make any decisions. 

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation 

According to NICE guidelines, you might be offered repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for severe depression that has not responded to other treatments. 

Treatment involves daily sessions of about 30 minutes, lasting for a number of weeks. 

Is neurosurgery ever used to treat depression? 

Neurosurgery for mental disorder (NMD) is only performed very rarely, in extreme circumstances. NMD is only offered if all other treatments have failed and cannot ever be performed without your consent.

What if I don't feel better? 

Different things work for different people, so if a particular medication or talking treatment doesn't work for you, your doctor should offer an alternative. 

It's important to remember that recovery is a journey, and it won't always be straightforward. You might find it more helpful to focus on learning more about yourself and developing ways to cope, rather than trying to get rid of every symptom of your depression.