Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days. Most people go through periods of feeling down, but when you're depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.

Depression can happen to anyone. Many successful and famous people who seem to have everything going for them battle with this problem. It also affects people of every age.

Some people think depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They're wrong, it is a real illness with real symptoms. Depression isn't a sign of weakness or something you can "snap out of" by "pulling yourself together", and when is very severe some people can feel that life isn't worth living, they want to die. This is when it is important to ask for help. In fact, if you don't share how you are feeling you may find yourself using unhealthy coping strategies which will in the long run only add to your problems and make you feel worse.

Although it is important to talk to someone, some people can find it difficult and they don't have anyone they feel they can really trust. This is why the help given by trained volunteers who provide emotional support, information or a listening ear for all those affected by depressive illnesses is so important. They work relentlessly, devoting their free time to help other people who suffer from mental health issues.

These helplines usually survive thanks to private support, and this is why your help is so important.

Please help me to raise some money and reach my target, so that they can continue to provide this wonderful service. All the funds will go to agencies which offer support and information. In particular, www.mind.org.uk and www.rethink.org.

Thank You!

Alberto