Welcome to the depression forum. As to your question how long does it take to begin to feel better? No easy answer can be given. Some people get over depression quickly and some it seems to take forever. The main thing to be learned is to cope with or without the depression. With the depression you will need to learn to keep on going and keep yourself safe. Without the depression you need to do what you can to make things better for yourself. Hope you have a therapist and or psychiatrist to help you.