Depression can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere!

Perceptions Matter!

Let’s get personal...

Do our friends give us the important things we need?

Generally speaking, our friendship base comes from everywhere; family, neighbours, work, social, sport and school. The list could extend to the people who work in the shops we visit, hairdressers, pharmacists, doctors, dentists and so on. Some friendships flourish more because we tell certain friends more intimate details of our personal or professional self.

Strong supportive friendships have few barriers and provide an array of practical, non judgemental assistance and information that helps us obtain clarity. People who care about us for who we are can make us feel better and reduce the ever increasing risk of falling into depression.

Depression can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere. It may stay for a short while or it may linger longer than we want it to. Everybody needs friends who can provide us with different perspectives on our situations, friends who can provide emotional support but not become emotional themself and friends who can pass on suggestions and ideas to empower us to make our own decisions.

For those who have made a bucket list or have thought about making a list of things you would like to achieve, here’s something that is worth considering: Friends who make us feel worthy and that we belong should be on the list. This is one aspect of life that does not need to be ticked off; but needs constant little ticks next to it.

If we are lucky enough to have such a person or people in our life then we need to cherish this. If our friends give us the important things we need and we take with arms wide open, hopefully if the tide should ever turn for them, then we will be able to give them the important things they need. A friend

If you find you don’t have a friend at the moment with the qualities you want and need, then you can always talk to someone from

• beyondblue 1300 22 4636 or

• Lifeline 24 hours 13 11 14

Perceptions Matter!