1. http://www.thelowdown.co.nz/
This site is aimed at provding information and resources to young New Zealanders suffering from depression and other Mental illnesses. This site is extremely interactive, offering celebrity navigators, chatrooms, mulitmedia, information and personal stories.
2. http://www.mentalhealth.com/
Provides statistics, information and links for those wanting to find out specific information relating to the topic of Mental Health. Suitable for both sufferers and professionals. Provides an online shop, newletters, library and opportunity for users to blog.
3. http://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/
Resource and information services. Provides information on campaigns, awareness weeks, policys, media and news. Offers links to other sites, disscussion boards, self diagnosis (online assesments), glossary online magazine.
Why do people use these online community's?
- Become more informed of Mental illness
- Gives comfort to sufferers
- To share experiences
- Seeking a sense of community
- Increased recognition
- Sense of efficacy
- Users may not want to talk to someone in person, but prefer to stay anonymous
Snippet of Information provided by the site: http://www.thelowdown.co.nz/
There are a number of treatments that have been shown
to work in overcoming depression.
This Fact Sheet tells you more about them.
The most important thing is to fi nd a treatment that
works for you.
This will depend on your level of depression, and what
you feel most comfortable with.
Self help strategies
If you have mild or moderate depression, there are some
simple things you can try.
• A regular routine of physical exercise has been found
to be the most helpful. Getting fresh air and sunlight
every day is good for improving sleep problems
as well
• Other natural therapies that help you to relax include
yoga, meditation/breathing exercises, massage
therapy and acupuncture
• There are some good self-help books available
on coping with depression. Check out your library or
bookstore, or see what people have recommended on
The Lowdown message board
• Remember to avoid alcohol or recreational drugs,
as these can make depression worse.
Talking therapies
In general, psychological and family therapies
(counselling) are the main treatment for depression in
children and young people. Psychological treatments are
also known as ‘talking therapies’. They work by changing
negative patterns of thinking or sorting out relationship
problems.
Psychological treatments can help to:
• Speed your recovery
• Prevent depression from recurring
• Identify ways to manage the illness and stay well.
Different kinds of talking therapies are provided by
counsellors (sometimes also called “therapists”),
psychologists, psychiatrists and other health
professionals.
Two that are known to work for depression are:
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a programme
of counselling which helps to change negative
thought patterns. It works on the basis that the way
we think affects the way we feel. For more on CBT
check out
getting sorted
Fact Sheet 8 – Problem solving and • Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) – this has a focus on
improving relationships, and how we relate to
other people.
fact sheet
Options for dealing
with depression
Medications
People who are depressed often feel physically unwell.
Anti-depressant drug treatments can relieve the
physical symptoms of depression.
If you have depression, your doctor may think it is useful
to start you on anti-depressant medication. This may
happen if your depression is severe, or other treatments
haven’t worked, or are not available in your area.
Your doctor will provide you with information about the
medicine, how to take it, and possible side effects. Drug
treatments for depression are not addictive, but like any
drug they can have side-effects (such as nausea and
headaches).
Anti-depressant medications can only be prescribed by a
GP or other medical doctor.
Some things to remember about treatment
• Depression is a very common medical condition
• Effective treatments are available, and it’s important
to get help as soon as possible
• Counselling therapies are the recommended
‘fi rst-line’ of treatment for children and young people
• In some cases a doctor may think an antidepressant
is also necessary
• Your doctor should provide you (and your family)
with clear information about the pros and cons of
taking antidepressants, and the steps to take in a
crisis situation or emergency
• Regular check-ups are important
• With the right treatment, the vast majority of young
people make a full recovery from depression.
Getting help
Most people recover from depression and enjoy life
again. But delaying treatments may delay recovery
– so it’s important to take that fi rst step.
4
To fi nd out more:
If you want to chat about how you’re feeling, or you’ve
got any questions, you can;
Text
The Lowdown team for free on 5626. Email
www.thelowdown.co.nz. You can also ask them to
give you a call back if you want to talk on the phone.
The Lowdown team in the Chat section of Call
the Depression Helpline on 0800 111 757 Recommended sites.
These sites are also worth checking out:
www.depression.org.nz
information about depression
www.ybblue.com.au
beyondblue’s website for young people
moodgym.anu.edu.au
A free online Cognitive Behaviour
Therapy treatmentEthical issues?
- validity of information being shared
- Who manages the community?
- Misuse
- Control over information
- Anonymity
When you’re depressed, it can seem like you’ll never
feel happy again. But there is light at the end of the
tunnel… and the fi rst step is getting the help you
need.
