Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Guest post to raise funds for depression

Guest Post from HelpforDepression.com


Give a Click for Depression Awareness Month


One of the most difficult aspects of dealing with depression is the social stigma attached to it.  This stigma can manifest itself in many ways, but perhaps the primary block in most people’s mind is that depression is actually something you can just “snap out of” – as if long-term, overwhelming sadness and despair is really just someone “going through a funk.” 

This stigma keeps thousands of depressed individuals from seeking help in the form of counseling or medication.  It keeps thousands more in a closed cycle of hopelessness.  About 35,000 people commit suicide every year in the United States, many of whom have a mental illness such as depression.  What’s worse is that for every single completed suicide there are about 11 more attempted suicides.   

This is a tragedy beyond words.  Even though so many people suffer from depression – as many as 1 in 10 – it is still hard to reach out to those who need help.  Building a support network of trusted friends, healthcare providers, or even online acquaintances who have experience with depression can help erode the number of people losing their lives to depression.  

Perhaps one of the best things about being depressed in this day of age (if anything!) is the accessibility of resources for those who decide to help themselves or someone else.  There are so many online chat support groups, informational websites, and resource referral banks to choose from, but you have to make the commitment to yourself to look for them! 

October is Depression Awareness Month.  Advocates for organizations geared toward helping people with depression are determined to use this month as a tool for spreading information and awareness about depression and how to end it.  One of the most valuable services these organizations are performing is trying to erase the stigma of depression. 

Groups like Help for Depression and To Write Love on Her Arms regularly help thousands of depressed people, and they are working hard to let the nation know how common and just how devastating depression is.  Still greater is their commitment to helping individuals with depression seek and find the help they desperately need. 

Thankfully, there is an easy and free way to give them money!  Just “like” HelpForDepression.com on Facebook, and for the first 15,000 “likes” they will donate $1 to the non-profit To Write Love on Her Arms.  Spread the word: this charitable promotion only lasts until October 15th.   

Together, we can end the stigma associated with depression, just by taking a stand to support these organizations working to raise depression awareness.  So get started!


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October is Depression and Mental Health Month. HelpForDepression.com has teamed with the non-profit To Write Love on her Arms (TWLOHA) to raise money for the many suffers of depression. Their goal: 15,000 "likes" on their Facebook page - for every Facebook page "like" they'll donate $1 to the fundraiser. From October 1 - 15, you can show your support! All it takes is one click.

4 comments:

  1. I feel as if I need to say "Thanks." I had this depression stigma for so long, but I read ur blog yesterday and something clicked. I went to the doctor today and started some meds. I may have depression, but I won't let depression have me anymore.
    Thanks Again,
    Jenn

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  2. Jenn, I'm so glad to hear that you're fighting it! Thanks so much for telling me about this.

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  3. Hi there,
    I just wanted to say great work on the blogging. I too suffer from depression, and developed the habit of hiding it until I just couldn't any more. I had a brief spell off work and the best thing I did was open up about my feelings. I have started my own blog and it is great to read there are people out there like me.

    http://depressionandmelancholia.blogspot.com/

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  4. Love your blog. We are not alone. Please visit mine at Findingme-jem.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete