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<p><strong>Thank You for visting my JustGiving page in aid of 'Depression Alliance'. </strong><em>At last! I have completed</em><em> '50 Walks for my 50th' for this worthy cause. I started in June 2010 by walking solo along the 90mile HADRIAN'S WALL PATH from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Bowness, and finished up with a very wet local walk before Christmas. I am so grateful to all those who have walked with me and/or donated to my page, so a big THANK YOU again. This page will remain open for a little longer so that I can continue to raise awareness for the DA, so do pass on the link to anyone you know who might benefit. Here's why.............</em><em><strong> </strong></em></p>
<p>It is a staggering statistic but 1 in 5 of us will suffer from depression at some time in our lives. The pressures of today’s society can chip away at our wellbeing, and depression is now considered as much an illness as diabetes or asthma. There is no stigma to it nowadays and yet sufferers still conceal it because they don’t want to be seen as ‘not coping’ or not ‘being professional’ in their outlook or job. </p>
<p>Depression can stay with some people for years; even with regular treatment &/or anti-depressants, sufferers have to learn to live with unwanted 'ambushes' at any given time during difficult periods. Learning how to deal with the ‘triggers’ to bouts of depression, with the ensuing anxiety, low mood/self-esteem, are key to leading as normal a life as possible.</p>
<p><em>Like me, you may have a close friend or family member who suffers. You can help simply by raising </em><em>awareness, but a donation will help fund research & campaigns for this increasingly common blight on our society. </em><em>The Depression Alliance has a helpline service which can in fact be a lifeline during a period of low mood or anxiety, so I hope you will help me to ‘make a difference’ to thousands of sufferers – indeed, probably someone a lot closer to you than you think. </em></p>
<p>SIX GOOD REASONS TO SUPPORT DEPRESSION ALLIANCE:</p>
<p>· One in Five people will suffer from depression at some point in their lives.</p>
<p>· More than 2.9m people are diagnosed with depression at any one time.</p>
<p>· As many as 3 in 4 cases of depression are neither recognised nor treated.</p>
<p>· More than 70% of recorded suicides are committed by people with depression.</p>
<p>· The World Health Orgns'tn estimates that by 2020, it will be the 2nd biggest health burden after heart disease.</p>
<p>· More than 80% of people with depression can be helped with the appropriate treatment.</p>
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<p><em>So, do dig deep for people with <strong>Depression – the silent illness....... </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><em>Donating is simple, fast and totally secure & you can claim GiftAid if you are a UK Tax payer. THANK YOU.</em></span></strong></em></p>
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