If you are having suicidal thoughts
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or no longer wanting to live, in France contact 3114 immediately, the national suicide prevention line, free and available 24/7. You can also go to an emergency room or call emergency services. Outside France, look up your local equivalent. You are not alone, and help exists.
Feeling down or clinical depression?
Feeling down is temporary (a few hours to a few days), often tied to an identifiable event (a disappointment, a setback), and doesn't prevent normal daily functioning. Clinical depression is distinguished by its duration (at least two consecutive weeks) and intensity: it affects daily functioning — work, relationships, sleep, appetite, concentration — and doesn't necessarily need an identifiable external cause. The PHQ-9, used in the tool above, specifically covers the last two weeks for this reason.
A screening tool, not a diagnosis
The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) was designed both as a screening tool and as a measure of depressive symptom severity, but it remains subject to clinical confirmation. A high score signals symptoms worth taking seriously and discussing with a healthcare professional, but only a doctor or psychiatrist can diagnose depression, taking the person's overall context into account.
Where to find help
Your doctor is a good first point of contact: they can assess your situation and refer you, if needed, to a psychiatrist or psychologist. In an emergency or if you have suicidal thoughts, in France 3114 (national suicide prevention line, free, 24/7) is available at any time. Talking about how you feel early, before the situation worsens, generally makes support easier.
