inspiration needed!!!

[ebullientenigma]

HI everyone!!

I belong to a small group of enthusiastic volunteers who are planning two public education sessions on Depression to be held tentatively on February 24.

The theme is Depression, the inspirational starting point is 'coming out of the darkness'.

I am looking for any ideas, inspiration that you kind, compassionate, empathetic readers can give to me to share with others through our public education sessions.

I have been nominated to do the press releases and the poster for this event!

This is an honor to say the least!!
I am very excited and passionate about helping others.

Any ideas for me??

thanking you all in advance!!!!!

[ladybird]

Dear (((ebullientenigma))),

I am so proud of you for being given such an honour and I believe that you will work wonders with your gentle and kind loving spirit!!!

Heres a few quotes that may be of interest that struck a chord with mwha....

When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always be worse. And when they are, we find hope in the thought that things are so bad that they have to get better...

Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again...
~ Sarah Ban Breathmach

Truly, it is in darkness that one finds the light, so when we are in sorrow, then this light is nearest of all to us...
~ Meister Eckhart

A clay pot sitting in the sun will always be a clay pot. It has to go through the white heat of the furnace to become porcelain....
~ Mildred Witte Stouven

In everyone there is something precious, found in no-one else: so honour each man for what is hidden within him - for what he alone has, and none of his fellows...
~ Hasidic saying

love & blessings
ladybird

...The stars are constantly shining, but often we do not see them until the dark hours...
~ Anon

[ebullientenigma]

Thank you !! Thank you!! Thank you!! for the encouragement, kind words and beautiful quotes!!!

I love them!!!

God Bless!!!!!!!

[ebullientenigma]

I'm wondering if you were to attend a workshop on depression...how would you want it presented??

thanks for you help!!

[Hollyberry]

Hi,
I think you should start with a definition of it and how it is very common in todays society. Talk about how there are all kinds of depression and discuss the different types. Also more importantly how to cope with it. Talk about how it is treatable and there are different techniques/ treatments for each person. I think it affects different personalities differently and maybe touch on that. I would offer lots of literature and new information on what depression is and how to treat it. That is what I would want if I attended. Also discuss personal experiences with it. Personal experience is relatable. I know because I have had it and I like to hear how individuals cope with theirs.
I hope this is what you were looking for?

Holly

[ebullientenigma]

thank you very much for your response hollyberry!!

i appreciate your input and the personal stories are important, i believe also!!

[Space]

So we took her to a specialist that treat her with Omega 3 and minerals. He is a traditional psychiatrist but said she did not need medication! … the story is, for this “depression treatment ignorant” was like “Oh!, great!!!” And think so many people think, like I did before, that depression need nasty medication … That people may be encouraged if they know that fish can do a lot about depression.
Hope it heps!!
Lovi

[Morning Bear]

To start:
I am here to give you hope and make you a survivor - yes, you will have to do your part, but the sheer truth is there millions of people just like you, who have found their way into the light, out of the darkness of depression.

Then you will need explanations of the degrees of depression and a time for sharing - because the first thing a person needs is contact to start withdrawing out of that hole in their life.

Acknowledging the fact that you have depression is a big part of getting cured. So if they are there - they've done themselves a big favor. If they are there because of a loved one who is suffering, then I personally feel it is important to intercede, (but I don't know for sure.)

Support group formation would be a big plus, I think, and a good long list of professional counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists who specialize in and work together to help people overcome the illness.

Most of these people know where they are with their illness and what they want, at least I did.
The hardest part for me was the frustration of waiting to get an appointment with someone I felt was competent and my own ego getting in my way. So I suffered for 5 1/2 years of needless mental anguish because I thought I was too smart for the people I first went to.

I kept it all inside, and I would not recommend anyone to do that.
I feel very blessed that I survived, because those 5 years were dark and scary. If not for my faith, I could easily have perished, or just walked away and disappeared from life.
So please stress getting help and being honest with your help once you get it - their cure time will be much faster.

If they are religious - keep strong ties with their religion.

Start an exercise program - exercise is key to overcoming depression because it stimulates endorphins in the brain that bring about a sense of well-being. Again - limit themselves to what they truly can handle and exercise with friends if at all possible. A good walk can be just as stimulating as running. It's important not to hurt themselves in the activity they choose.

Handouts are good - if they are caring and meaningful. They need to know how the condition is affecting not only them, but the people in their lives who care about and love them.

Don't let anyone be a wallflower - encourage them with loving kindness to participate and become friends that each other can depend on - Depression is a great emptiness of the soul, they need to get involved filling that emptiness back up with life in the sunshine.
Peace, Joy, Love, and Blessings as you go forward with this beautiful mission.

Morning Bear

[zoro]

Hello,
Cogratulations and all the best .

I would like to hear a couple of real life stories of people who were in depression and how they came out of it,now leading a happy and successful life.

Once again GL!!

zoro-embracing strength

[Hawkeye]

I'd be somewhat cautious about taking the "let's share our storys of depression" approach. The old saying "misery loves company" is true, and you may wind up with a whole room full of people united in misery. Breakout sessions of group talk would be good; but if I were doing this, my focus would be on the wide variety of solutions, rather than on the problem so much. That's a "focus on the positive rather than the negative" approach.

I have PTSD as a result of childhood trauma. Much depression is a result of childhood trauma. If you're abused as a kid, and you can't escape your abuser, the mind (specifically the amygdala, the flight-or-flight node) gets stuck in "freeze" mode. When you feel stress, the brain freezes, which makes it very hard to deal with whatever the stressor is -- then you end up feeling, "this brain isn't working" (or worse -- "this brain is attacking me"), and, since you can't escape the brain, you start thinking of ways to separate yourself from it -- drugs, suicide, sex, etc.

I underwent a therapy called EMDR (which I beleive stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), which had amazing results in my life, and a 70% cure rate for soldiers suffering PTSD. I'd encourage you to find a speaker in your area who is certified to do EMDR. This person will be at least a psychologist, and may be happy to come speak to develop new clients. Google "EMDR + YOUR CITY."

I'm a trained Health Rhythms facilitator, which is Group Empowerment Drumming. It is a medical protocol that was developed by nuerologist Dr. Barry Bitmann. Health Rhythms, and what it can do on so many levels, is astounding. I'd encourage you to follow this link and study up on it:

http://www.remo.com/portal/pages/health ... index.html

Then go to this website to find a facilitator in your area:

<http://www.dcfg.net/dcfg06/find.shtml>

Again, this person will likely be thrilled that you got in touch, because s/he wants to share the wonders of Health Rhythms.

Good luck, and may your work be blessed!