No matter how successful or happy you seem on the outside, the black dog of depression can still linger around your heels, ready to strike.

Depression can strike anyone, anytime. From teenagers; mothers at home with small children; those isolated in rural areas; those working far from home; to those having relationship or work stresses – feelings of isolation and hopelessness can strike anywhere, anytime.

Sometimes all someone needs is a conversation. If there is someone in your life who you are concerned about, please, talk to them. There are a lot of resources online where you can get help finding the right words to say, or the right questions to ask. The Beyond Blue website is a great place to start to get help so you can reach out in turn.

Sometimes these periods are temporary, and will pass when the pressures of the situation eases. For some people, however, the dark moods and the hopelessness do not abate, and they cannot simply "get over it".

What symptoms should you look out for in your family and friends?

If someone around you says something that’s not quite in character or that doesn’t sound quite right, they may be struggling with feelings that they find difficult to express. Here are some behavioural changes common to those who may be struggling with mental health issues.

They may be:

• not going out anymore
• not getting things done at work/school
• withdrawing from close family and friends
• relying on alcohol and sedatives
• not doing usual enjoyable activities
• unable to concentrate

If someone you know is exhibiting these behaviours, it’s a good idea to have a chat to them about it. Find time in your day to talk to those you have concerns about -you might need to schedule a time when you both are free to talk. You need to be in the right headspace yourself, and able to spend time listening.

But just because you start the conversation, that doesn’t mean you have to have the answers to the problems. You don’t need to. The important thing is to listen, let them talk, and let them know that you care.

The paths to recovery

Treating depression is complex and individual. But sometimes understanding the cause of the depression can be a path towards recovery. For example, if your friend is depressed because of a dead-end job, a solution could be for them to change their career. Loneliness and sadness after relocating to a new city may be overcome by finding new friends and new hobbies.

In these cases the depression may be temporary and remedied by changing the situation.

However this is not the case for everyone.

Some people are depressed because of ongoing stressful life-events, such as abusive relationships; long-term unemployment; financial worries; chronic health or long-term stress. These factors are more likely to cause depression than short, sudden misfortune.

Treatments for those dealing with ongoing stressful issues include developing emotional skills to build resilience, or using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to change the way they think about these issues in their lives. This can help them become more in control of their feelings, which in turn can help them cope.

But for other people even a series of minor setbacks can trigger severe mental health issues if they are already at risk of clinical depression.

Those at risk include people with a history of mental illness, or with mental illness in the family; people with a personality that easily succumbs to depression – such as those with low self-esteem, perfectionists, highly self-critical or those overly negative about life. Also at risk are those with severe illnesses, and those with a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

Symptoms of clinical depression include:

• unable to sleep or sleeping too much
• inability to concentrate or unable to complete previously easy tasks
• feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
• inability to control negative thoughts
• loss of appetite or can’t stop eating
• more irritable, short-tempered, or aggressive than usual
• drinking more alcohol than normal or engaging in other reckless behaviour
• having thoughts that life is not worth living (if this is your friend, make sure they get help immediately)

For a friend suffering from clinical depression their path back to health will be a long and arduous one, often involving therapy and medication. But the first step is for someone who cares to reach out and tell them that they are not alone. Can you be that person?

For more information, contact Beyond Blue or call LifeLine Australia on 13 11 14.