Depression Can Be Fun Magazine Interviews
Easy Living Magazine
Just one click away …
When you’re going through a hard time in your life, it can feel both daunting and difficult to ask for help. But support and genuine compassion are only a second away. From advice to chatrooms to one-on-one counselling to online therapy, we’ve rounded up a directory of the websites that might just become a lifeline.
BY NATASHA POLISZCZUK, BEATRICE HOGKIN AND RACHEL SULLIVAN
DEPRESSION
Depressioncanbefun.com
Don’t be put off by the name of this site; it’s not meant to belittle or poke fun. Set up by clinical and manic depression sufferer, Helen McNallen, this friendly site has top experts like psychotherapist Dr Marisa Peer, downloadable podcasts from the Mental Health Foundation, discussion forums and a facility where you can ask questions of the site’s resident experts and Helen herself, who give thoughtful and caring advice.
Dealing with the ‘other’ children
From the Depression Can Be Fun forum (All names have been changed)
“Claire: My 21-year-old daughter has a long history of depression. I have two other children who have always suffered because I have had to give so much time to her through the years and they are angry.
Andrea: Your daughter is probably very good at disguising how she feels. This makes it hard for your other kids to understand what the illness is about, leaving them feeling angry and frustrated. You all need help.
Clarissa: Your other children need you, too. You must let them know you care for them as much as for her. The way they feel may be adding to her problems – she knows her siblings are angry and I suspect that makes it worse.
Helen McNallen (owner of the site): Hi, Helen here. I asked the NHS about the help available to your daughters. Support varies from region to region: you can find out from social services what is available to you.
Psychology departments offer family sessions where you can work together as a group. Again referral is via your GP.
Clarissa: It can’t be nice for your kids to see their sister so low and not know what to do to make things better. A hug means the world. Hang on in there.
Helen McNallen: I wanted to post what a carer support worker sent to me about your situation: ‘I know this is common for siblings. The family has one advantage in that the problem is out in the open. I would recommend the siblings do some reference reading on the subject.’ I am posting some contacts on the site for help with children suffering from depression. I also contacted Child and Adolescent Mental Health, who suggest you get in touch with parentlineplus.org.uk.
Claire: Thank you for your replies – I found them really helpful. I’ve never posted on a website before and am really impressed with the insight and care out there.”
Are you depressed?
We all feel fed up sometimes but these feelings usually last for a couple of days or weeks at the most. Perhaps you have been feeling like this for longer.
We have designed a test to give you some indication.
