To open the translated documents you will need to download the adobe acrobat reader . There are also documents on depression in the below languages, but we don't have English translations for these. The information posted below is the English translation of brochures available on this website in other languages. The Australian Transcultural Mental Health Network does not provide on-line counselling or psychiatric services. Please contact your doctor if you are suffering from the symptoms described below.
All people experience periods of sadness.
Usually these last for only one to several hours or days. Some people experience more prolonged periods of sadness following the loss of a friend or family member. This is usually described as grief or bereavement. A depressive illness is a persistent lowering of mood lasting for several weeks at a time, and accompanied by a specific group of physical and psychological symptoms. This may cause serious physical, psychological and social problems, and requires specific treatment.