I had a shitty time of it a few years ago, including an extended period off work, and a week in hospital immediately after my wife died. She was not the trigger, I was probably heading that way anyway, but the day she died the doc had me straight in (as a voluntary, so I couls leave if i wanted). After the week I genuinely did feel better, great help from NHS Highland, and I had a wonderful councillor (is that the right word) who I saw weekly, then fortnightly, then monthly, then "only if you need me".
It really, really did help me getting someone professional to talk to whilst going through the bad times, no judgement, no time-frame to "get better" and I was fortunate that apart from a mild sleeping tablet for a few weeks I didn't need medication. I am also now very lucky that I know the signs to look for in my own behaviour should I be on the way to a "relapse" and I should be able to get myself help before it gets to rock bottom like before. I'm aware that I will probably have this for the rest of my life, but it's not something I really think about these days, I just felt maybe putting my experiences on here might help someone else.
My symptoms to look for? (should anyone want to be on the lookout for similar warning signs)
Sleeplessness (not full-on insomnia); Lack of interest in TV/Reading/Internet/Sport; can't be bothered cooking so eating shite (and not really bothering much with that either tbh); slow but steady increase in alcohol intake 9not these days obviously); feeloing permanently tired; just wanting to "hide away" from the world; not really giving a shit about my appearance (again not to the extent of becoming a total tramp, but maybe I just never got that far) in terms of wearing any old clothes, not shaving etc.
Loke I say I was lucky to have a great NHS Doc and Psychiatrist at the time and I owe them a hell of a lot.
ETA: I never had, or have, suicidal thoughts, I guess one of the reasons I was "voluntary" admission to Newcraigs, i can't begin to imagine just how terrible that must feel. I am, however, more familiar with it than I'd like having lost my wife that way.