We aim to help tackle the issue of depression in young people by:
  • Increasing awareness of depression
  • Equipping and training people to identify those at risk
  • Promoting professional help to young sufferers
  • Reducing the stigma of depression

Matthew Elvidge was a bright, energetic and caring young man, who had everything to live for and yet, aged 23, he took his own life after a very short period of depression. He was due to start his first job in insurance on September 21st 2009, after graduating from Newcastle University and died just one day before. He was part of a large family and had a wide circle of friends from school, university, trips to China and Africa, as well as Yateley Hockey Club and Explore Learning, his last employer. Their affection for him was shown at his Thanksgiving Service on September 25th, when over 450 people gathered in St John’s Church, Hartley Wintney to remember

Matt for what he was….a wonderful young man, who cared for others before himself and had so much to live for. Matthew was depressed for a short period and, as is so common, his family and friends were not fully aware of the depth of his depression and how to help. We would therefore like to do as much as we can to help others who are, or may be, in a similar situation, by increasing the awareness of depression and other mental health issues and preventing other young people from taking their own lives. We have therefore decided to set up ‘The Matthew Elvidge Trust’.

The warning signs of depression:

  • Changes in mood

    Changes in mood

  • Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism

    Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism

  • Difficulty in making decisions

    Difficulty in making decisions

  • Irregular Sleep

    Irregular Sleep

  • Decreased Energy

    Decreased Energy

  • Tearfulness

    Tearfulness

  • Feelings of guilt and worthlessness

    Feelings of guilt and worthlessness

  • Restlessness

    Restlessness

  • Thoughts of death or suicide

    Thoughts of death or suicide

  • Appetite and weight loss

    Appetite and weight loss

  • Persistent sad, anxious or empty mood

    Persistent sad, anxious or empty mood

  • Insomnia

    Insomnia

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Images used by kind permission of The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust