How does depression affect people with SCI?
Author: SCIRE Community Team | Reviewer: Brad Hallam | Published: 7 October 2017 | Updated: 17 June 2020
Depression is one of the most common mental health concerns after SCI. As many as 40% of people experience depression during rehabilitation and around 1 in 5 people experience depression a year after the injury.
Depression can be a serious problem after SCI. It can interfere with recovery and rehabilitation and is related to longer hospital stays, higher levels of pain, and lower quality of life after injury.
However, it is also important to keep in mind that not every person will develop depression after SCI. The majority of people adapt well to living with an SCI and depression is not a necessary part of adjustment to injury, but shows that a person is experiencing distress.
Hear Louise describe her experience with being told “you can’t walk again”
Suicide
Suicide rates are also higher among people with SCI than in the general population. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, contact a health provider or a crisis center immediately:
- Canada – Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: ca/im-having-thoughts-of-suicide/
- United States – National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: org/
- Australia – Lifeline Australia: org.au/
- United Kingdom – Samaritans: org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/