Why a depression campaign?

Depression is one of the most common forms of mental illness. In New Zealand, one in five women and one in 10 men will experience depression at some point in their lives.

With Out of the Blue, the Mental Health Foundation is highlighting depression to show that recovery is possible. You may have heard that medication and counselling are among the treatment options available, but there are also many self-help strategies you can employ to help you begin to feel better.

Depression affects men and women of all ages, races and economic groups and is not something you can just 'snap out of'.

People who experience depression do get better. You can recover from and learn to manage depression. 

Listening to others who have been in your shoes can also be a tremendous help, so this campaign also features the personal stories of real New Zealanders who have experienced and come through depression.