A SOCIAL MEDIA-led campaign is gaining ground in the run up to Christmas to raise awareness of depression – and how to recognise the symptoms in a loved one.

The #depressionhurts campaign has been running on Twitter since Tuesday night with people being asked to retweet the video below along with the #depressionhurts hashtag. Volunteers are also hoping to be on hand over the Christmas and New Year period to stay in contact over direct message on their Twitter account – @121depression – with people who wish to talk. (Note: the group does specify that no medical advice is given).

People who have suffered depression or have had a friend or relative are invited to share their story on the volunteer group’s Facebook page Depressionhurts121.

This is the video – ‘It starts with you’ – which contains the testimony of one woman who lost her 17-year-old sister. Be warned: it is upsetting but if you wish to join the campaign and retweet it, the link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP7DIIcgkzs

The Samaritans are on 1850 60 90 90 every day of the year, 24 hours a day, if you need to speak to someone.

(Video via depressionhurtsvideo/Youtube.com)