Yesterday was World Suicide Prevention Day:
http://www.iasp.info/wspd/pdf/2008_wspd_flyer_english.pdf

I have been really impressed by the level of support and care offered to people here on AMHD in relation to mental health issues, so when I came across this website this morning, I thought I would pass it on as it seems to contain some valuable insights and resources others might also appreciate. I also noticed it has been endorsed by people well respected in the mental health field. (apologies in advance if it isn't considered appropriate to include this, as it could be thought of as advertising the purchase of a book)
DepressionCarer.com (http://www.depressioncarer.com/)

Also, for anyone who might find this helpful, here is a link to the MoodGYM online training program that has won a number of awards for making cognitive therapy more accessible to the public, especially for younger people. Access to MoodGYM is free.
MoodGYM: Welcome (http://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome)

Given the prevalence of mental illness and likelihood we will either suffer from depression ourselves at least at one stage in our lives or are likely know of someone close to us who does, I consider it to be something we could all benefit from knowing more about.

I might mention here that my 17 year old niece and my partner's 18 year old daughter have both been recently hospitalised for serious (suicidal) depression and are still receiving treatment. As my partner and I have supported people we have loved who suffered from serious mental illness (not just these two girls), talking comfortably about depression and suicidality as well as being reasonably well informed on mental health issues in general has been kind of essential. Still, I know there's a lot more to be learnt.

If anyone who supports a loved one who suffers mental illness would like to share their insights here, I would very much appreciate knowing what you have to say. I would especially like to have better insight as to how to recognise the early signs of depression and how to help prevent it escalating into something more serious.

I am very interested to see what comes of this thread. I also think as it continues to grow, this may just help more than one or two of us here on the Desk as well. I am going to check out the links tomorrow. Thank you for starting this. I wish those girls and anyone else going through this, life, love and lot's of support!

Ok, so here is the deal Frangipanis... I have been waiting to give a small response since you posted this. I am very surprised that there hasn't been more than you and I here. I am not depressed, feel like I may have been or will be at some point or points in my life. As for what I have seen, death is the worst outcome of depression, while people are going through it, death may seem like the "only" option, but it's not. When we can see clearly, we realize it... (sometimes we never get healthy enough to see clearly.)

In Junior High, I had a long time friend commit suicide because she didn't think she was like all the rest of us, she didn't feel like she belonged...
When I was in High School, there were many suicides, we lived in Alaska and what I had heard is that the darkness can get awfully depressing and bring on such a darkness to a person, suicide feels like it is the only way out of it.
I was a teenager, wasn't happy, wasn't doing the best things... drinking, partying, hanging out with kids doing the same, never wanting to be in school, couldn't understand the work, so decided it wasn't worth my time. Nothing was really worth my time back then, at least that is how my broken heart and mind were thinking. I was driving down this icy road one night. Came to a curve in the road, you know the ones that you have to go real slow or you will lose control... well, I lost control! I remember thinking, Oh God, I should just let the car go, this isn't what I want out of life anyway, this wouldn't be a big deal to anyone... just let it go... Right then, I took the wheel and gained back control, I thought to myself... after I pulled over and took a few deep breaths... "start, why in the world would you think a terrible thought like that?" To this day, I can come up with at least ten REAL reasons I would think that. Not to say they were reasons that were understandable to a competent mind, but as I was right then and there, the reasons were understandable.
I don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but I know in my heart, there are kids, teenagers and adults that have had this same feeling for the same or different reasons, it makes me want to be a better woman, a better mother, and better friend. That is why I loved this thread so much, I believe in doing everything I can for someone, I believe in helping, I believe in letting someone feel good... feel worthy of my time, or anyone else's for that matter.
So, for short, thank you for this thread, and I hope everyone's eyes and ears are open to hear people, to feel what they are going through and not just pass them by as being "ok". Hugs and love, Start

Friend4U has this song in his sig... I thought it went well with this thread;)YouTube - Michael Buble - Lost NEW VIDEO!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X5cZC5U6dM&NR=1)

Thank you for posting this. I am passing the info on to a friend who's son is showing suicidal tendencies.

Here are some thoughts on how to help love ones with mental illness and tribulations.
We are all creators of our own being.Our thoughts create our lives,what we believe in
And have faith in, it will come to pass in our life. Our conscious mind thinks all the time
We are awake. Some good some bad and some time we fear things and take it too far by thinking about it so much the fear or other feelings are taken to far by thinking about it so much the fear takes over. At this time people can get out of control with their
Thinking and feelings. They have created a world of fear and doubt and do not know
How to get out of it. This is why they need help from people that love and care about them. First understand the power of our words and thoughts that create our world.
Start helping the person by talking and thinking only on funny, good, positive, harmonious, loving, successful thoughts.
Words that are positive are healing to our body and mind and that is what we all want
And we bless us as well as others. I chose to think positive, good, loving thoughts
And am a better person for it, I was a very fearfull with desperation not knowing what way to turn. This worked for me and I have helped many by showing how I survive.
I also went on long walks that did so much good. Show lots of good funny movies.
Anytime a bad or fearfull thought comes in your, or friends mind change it to a good
Thought Start saying positive affirmations, I am Healty, Strong, Powerful, Loving,
Harmonious, successful and happy . Each of these are powerful words are full of hope please think on each word and what it means and it will start a healing process . Say
This many times a day or every time a bad thought comes to mind, you will become a
New person. May peace, love and health rule your days and nights.
Maggie 3

Loved that Michael Buble song Starty... very touching and comforting, isn't it.

Depression really does touch all of us at some point, one way or another. I went through my hardest time (that was really painful and frightening) after my first child was born. I'm fine just looking after myself --- not afraid of much and confident in my abilities to look after myself and get through anything. I just kind of fell apart at the thought of someone being totally dependent on me, and the whole marriage and family thing threw me for a while. Like you though, that experience made me want to be a stronger person. I'm actually glad now that I went through it then, since I've had a lot of emotional resources to draw upon when they've been needed.

My ex's about with depression that lasted a few years resulted in our marriage completely breaking down a few years ago and in me scrambling to keep mine and our children's lives reasonably together. That was a completely different story and I think I'm still processing the whole experience. At the moment I'm a bit concerned about both my children and the effect it's had on them. That and being close (yet not too involved) to my partner's daughter and my niece who were both recently hospitalised, has given me a strong urge to want to get as well informed as I can at the moment. And isn't it funny that as soon you start to put something like that out there into the universe, what you need miraculously comes straight back to you.

Just this morning, my workplace invited me to attend a day workshop on 'preventing suicide' in October as it has some relevance to the work I do. I'm also part way through reading 'Back from the Brink' that I provided a link for at the opening of this thread and is just what I want to read at the moment.
DepressionCarer.com

And thanks Maggie for those wise thoughts. I'd like to get back to what you said a little later.

Frangipanis wrote: And isn't it funny that as soon you start to put something like that out there into the universe, what you need miraculously comes straight back to you:

This will be in my thoughts for a long long time, I believe it is quite true.
I am going to get to more of the reading later myself, I haven't been able to focus real well on written words, due to health. (not too worry)
I agree it is a constant struggle to stay out of the "dark" side... things happen, they affect us, they tend to try and bring us down, oh but then that certain "thing" (whatever it may be) happens and then bam, we are good to go till the next trial;)

yesterday was World Suicide Prevention Day:
http://www.iasp.info/wspd/pdf/2008_wspd_flyer_english.pdf

I have been really impressed by the level of support and care offered to people here on AMHD in relation to mental health issues, so when I came across this website this morning, I thought I would pass it on as it seems to contain some valuable insights and resources others might also appreciate. I also noticed it has been endorsed by people well respected in the mental health field. (apologies in advance if it isn't considered appropriate to include this, as it could be thought of as advertising the purchase of a book)
DepressionCarer.com (http://www.depressioncarer.com/)

Also, for anyone who might find this helpful, here is a link to the MoodGYM online training program that has won a number of awards for making cognitive therapy more accessible to the public, especially for younger people. Access to MoodGYM is free.
MoodGYM: Welcome (http://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome)

Given the prevalence of mental illness and likelihood we will either suffer from depression ourselves at least at one stage in our lives or are likely know of someone close to us who does, I consider it to be something we could all benefit from knowing more about.

I might mention here that my 17 year old niece and my partner's 18 year old daughter have both been recently hospitalised for serious (suicidal) depression and are still receiving treatment. As my partner and I have supported people we have loved who suffered from serious mental illness (not just these two girls), talking comfortably about depression and suicidality as well as being reasonably well informed on mental health issues in general has been kind of essential. Still, I know there's a lot more to be learnt.

If anyone who supports a loved one who suffers mental illness would like to share their insights here, I would very much appreciate knowing what you have to say. I would especially like to have better insight as to how to recognise the early signs of depression and how to help prevent it escalating into something more serious.
I am in a relationship with a person who suffers with depression. I am thankful for you posting this information and I am excited about going and checking it out. I try to be as supportive as I can be - but sometimes I feel so lost.

Take care.

Erika

Jam, I hear you, I know it is hard, but you and others around may be just what that person needs.:) Be careful not to get into a "lost" stump, I know it may be hard... good luck... hugs!

Thank you!
You are right... getting into a slump is not where I want to be.
My lost feelings come with... well... the lack of resources locally and the fact that I don't know a single person who understands even a small percentage of what we go through in day to day living.
Here is to the future and figuring out how to make it work. :P

Here are some thoughts on how to help love ones with mental illness and tribulations.
We are all creators of our own being.Our thoughts create our lives,what we believe in
and have faith in, it will come to pass in our life. Our conscious mind thinks all the time
we are awake. Some good some bad and some time we fear things and take it too far by thinking about it so much the fear or other feelings are taken to far by thinking about it so much the fear takes over. At this time people can get out of control with their
thinking and feelings. They have created a world of fear and doubt and do not know
how to get out of it. This is why they need help from people that love and care about them. First understand the power of our words and thoughts that create our world.
Start helping the person by talking and thinking only on funny, good, positive, harmonious, loving, successful thoughts.
Words that are positive are healing to our body and mind and that is what we all want
and we bless us as well as others. I chose to think positive, good, loving thoughts
and am a better person for it, I was a very fearfull with desperation not knowing what way to turn. This worked for me and I have helped many by showing how I survive.
I also went on long walks that did so much good. Show lots of good funny movies.
Anytime a bad or fearfull thought comes in your, or friends mind change it to a good
thought Start saying positive affirmations, I am Healty, Strong, Powerful, Loving,
Harmonious, successful and happy . Each of these are powerful words are full of hope please think on each word and what it means and it will start a healing process . say
this many times a day or every time a bad thought comes to mind, you will become a
new person. May peace, love and health rule your days and nights.
Maggie 3

This is a beautiful affirmation on how our thoughts create the world we live in and make it a better place for others... thank you :)

You might want to take a look at this post (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/mental-emotional-health/do-you-think-am-depressed-should-see-someone-about-262074-2.html#post1289599) :)
I hope it helps.

Insightful and motivating. Thanks.

Although we need to be challenged and experience hard times to learn from adversity and be strengthened by it, I agree with you wholeheartedly that part of the key to promoting and maintaining a sense of emotional wellbeing is knowing how to set realistic and obtainable goals along the way. It's what gives us a sense of balance and grounding as we take on necessary challenges, in my opinion.

Knowing how to calculate risks and handle disappointments are valuable life skills.

Thought I'd share this:
http://depressioncarer.com/mydownloads/DepressionCarerResearchResourceReport.pdf

Includes resource listings for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK and US.

Thanks for the info. I agree with your post on sept 27. There are a lot of things that can
Bring on depression, stress, over eating, lack of exercise and some medicine. Some
Times it is very hard when meds bring on depression. I was having a need for
An acid controller and after taking it I had depression from taking it. It takes a little
Time to find what is causing the problem. Our state of mind and our whole being can get
Off balance. We have all come across things that help others and as we share and
Try to help others it can be the most help to us.Through having my mental stress
And panic attack I have became a more loving and caring person. As bad as it was,
And it was a hell, I am thankfull for what I have become and learned. I have learnd
The more we do for others the happier we will be. Self is taken care of as you care
For other. Blessing
Maggie 3