Everyday life can get us down, but how do you tell if you are just having another bad day or if there is a more serious illness?

Here we list the key signs and symptoms that you could be suffering from depression - source: Mental Health Foundation.

• Tiredness and loss of energy

• Sadness that doesn’t go away

• Loss of self-confidence and self-esteem

• Difficulty concentrating

• Not being able to enjoy things that are usually pleasurable or interesting

• Feeling anxious all the time

• Avoiding other people, sometimes even your close friends

• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness

• Sleeping problems - difficulties in getting off to sleep or waking up much earlier than usual

• Very strong feelings of guilt or worthlessness

• Finding it hard to function at work/college/school

• Loss of appetite

• Loss of sex drive and/or sexual problems

• Physical aches and pains

• Thinking about suicide and death

• Self-harm

If you experience four or more of these symptoms for most of the day - every day - for more than two weeks, you should seek help from your GP.

Tips for maintaining good mental health

• Talk About Your Feelings

Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled. It’s part of taking charge of your wellbeing and doing what you can to stay healthy.

• Eat Well

There are strong links between what we eat and how we feel – for example, caffeine and sugar can have an immediate effect. But food can also have a long-lasting effect on your mental health.

• Keep in Touch

Friends and family can make you feel included and cared for. They can offer different views from whatever’s going on inside your own head. They can help keep you active, keep you grounded and help you solve practical problems.

• Take a Break

A change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health. It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work or a weekend exploring somewhere new. A few minutes can be enough to de-stress you.

• Accept Who You Are

Some of us make people laugh, some are good at maths, others cook fantastic meals. Some of us share our lifestyle with the people who live close to us, others live very differently. We’re all different.

• Keep Active

Experts believe exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you concentrate, sleep, look and feel better. Exercise also keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy.

• Drink Sensibly

We often drink alcohol to change our mood. Some people drink to deal with fear or loneliness, but the effect is only temporary.

• Ask for Help

None of us are superhuman. We all sometimes get tired or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things go wrong. If things are getting too much for you and you feel you can’t cope, ask for help.

• Do Something You’re Good At

What do you love doing? What activities can you lose yourself in? What did you love doing in the past? Enjoying yourself helps beat stress. Doing an activity you enjoy probably means you’re good at it and achieving something boosts your self-esteem.

• Care for Others

Caring for others is often an important part of keeping up relationships with people close to you. It can even bring you closer together.

We have launched the Mental Health Watch campaign to fight for better provision of care in Suffolk and Norfolk, see our manifesto here