Understanding and Managing Depression

Depression affects everyone differently — for some, it feels like a lingering sadness, for others, it’s a loss of motivation or a sense of emptiness that doesn’t go away. Whatever your experience, it’s important to remember that depression is not a sign of weakness, and with the right support, recovery is possible.

It’s normal to feel sad or low after stressful or challenging times — such as relationship breakups, family or friendship troubles, or changes at work or school. But when those feelings linger or begin to affect your daily life, counselling can help you understand what’s happening and guide you toward feeling better.

There’s no single cause of depression — it can arise from a mix of life events, thinking patterns, or biological factors. Sometimes, there’s no clear reason at all, and that’s okay. What matters most is recognising when you need support and taking the step to reach out.

In therapy, we often explore how our thoughts shape our emotions. For example, it’s easy to fall into the pattern of thinking “I’ll be happy when…” — when I have more money, lose weight, or achieve a certain goal. This can create a cycle where happiness always feels just out of reach.

At Toolkit, our therapists use evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) so you don’t have to face depression alone — support is available, and change is possible.