I'm a newbie to this site so firstly
greetings to one and all! Hope you're as
well as can be expected and coping with
this darn depression malarkey.
Needless to say, I am also someone who
suffers from depression. It's now clear
to me that its something i've had for many
years, but its only within the last year I
have been properly diagnosed, and now I
also finally have meds i'm not allergic to
- hurrah! So I definitely have made
progress, but there's still quite a way
for me to go yet.
Anyhows, now that I am trying to sort out
some kind of life for myself, I have
returned to university studying graphic
design. And as I am sick to the back
teeth of depression having such a bad
reputation, and it being one of the most
misunderstood illnesses there is, i've
decided i'm going to produce an awareness
campaign for my final major project.
But I really need your input so ensure I
do this as accurately as possible. So I
would be eternally grateful if you could
post your thoughts and experiences on this
thread, particularly addressing the
following points:
- how much did you know about depression
before you were diagnosed?
- how long did it take you to realise you
suffer from depression, and how did you
find out about it?
- do you feel there is enough information
and support for depression?
- how are you dealing with your
depression? Do you feel the advice and
support you are receiving are adequate?
- are you aware of any advertising or
promotional campaigns that can direct you
to sources of advice and support? What
are your opinions of this?
- how do you think we can create more
awareness and try to shake off the stigma
of mental illness?
Please note you do not need to directly
answer these questions, they are merely
suggestions for discussion, but I would be
very interested in your views in how we
can make people understand a little
better.
Please please please contribute - remember
i'm depressed too so I need all the help I
can get!!! And if anyone lives in the
manchester area i'll owe them a pint!
