If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988, or text HOME to 741741 — you don't have to go through this alone.

Depressive Disorders

Overview

Depression can make even small things like getting up, eating, or answering a text feel enormous. It is one of the most common mental health conditions and affects a person everywhere from their thoughts to daily functioning. It is categorized as ongoing sadness, loss of interest in activities they once found pleasure in, changes in sleep and/or appetite (too much or too little), and difficulty concentrating. It's a medical condition and can be treated with the right support.

This toolkit is built around small, doable steps: "tiny tasks" checklists, worksheets for the hard days, and reminders that you're not the only one who has felt this way. And if things feel heavy, telling someone is a brave and worthwhile step to take.

Educational Resources

Website

Depressive Disorders

Learn about what depressive disorder is from the World Health Organization

Visit who.int →

Website

Depression | National Institute of Mental Health

Find out more about depression through this website and an animated video by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Visit nimh.nih.gov →

Website

Depression Overview

Johns Hopkins Medicine goes in-depth explaining the causes and treatment of depression

Visit hopkinsmedicine.org →

Printable PDFs

Printable PDF

Tiny Tasks Checklist (shower, eat, step outside) [PDF]

Download [PDF coming soon]

Printable PDF

Who to Contact Worksheet [PDF]

Download [PDF coming soon]

Printable PDF

CBT Thought-Reframing Worksheet [PDF]

Download [PDF coming soon]

Online & Downloadable Guides

Guide

Safety Planning Worksheet

View Guide [coming soon]

Guide

Gratitude Journal Starter

View Guide [coming soon]

Videos

🎬 Video coming soon — a guided exercise for depressive disorders

Audio Guides

Guided relaxation (audio)

Audio coming soon.

Images

📷 calming-visual-1.jpg
📷 infographic-depression.jpg
📷 calming-visual-2.jpg

Crisis lines for this toolkit

  • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • NAMI Helpline: Call 1-800-950-6264, or text NAMI to 62640 — www.nami.org/help

Trusted websites & online tools

Website

NAMI

The NAMI Helpline and library of plain-language mental health resources.

Visit nami.org →

Website

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

Peer support groups and educational resources for depressive disorders.

Visit dbsalliance.org →

Website

Mental Health America

Screening tools, information, and ways to find local support.

Visit mhanational.org →

This toolkit is intended to provide coping tools and support. It is not a replacement for medical care, therapy, or emergency services.