What gives meaning to your life today?

April 7, 2021 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

Many depressed people will say: “I don’t know why I am depressed. It just happened suddenly like a black cloud coming down.” They say this because they do not want to look at the terrible events which threatened to destroy the way they saw themselves and their world. These events might not seem very significant to other people, but to the person concerned they are very important. It is not the events which make them important, or frightening, or overwhelming, but the meaning we give to these events.

Dorothy Rowe, in her forward to Hugh Smith’s book Depressed? Here is a way out! she explains that it is the meaning that we give to the event that creates the depression. How true it is for my own life when I attempted to build a wall, a wall that would defend me from my constant worry that had taken me over, spiraling my life downward into a deep, dark pit. It was like a Trojan horse, who had taken my mind captive and left me with no escape. I became physically immobilized trying to defend against this force – while my thoughts continued to cycle around and around, the more powerless I became.

Even though that feared future event never took place – my false belief that it would happen – froze my feelings, thinking and behaviors. I was like a zombie. That is until I heard about a group fellowship called Depressed Anonymous. It motivates its membership to take action. To do something. To move the body into action. To learn and live the Twelve Twelve Step of recovery with others like ourselves.

Gradually, I discovered that the more I discarded my defense of sleeping, isolating and negative thinking and sought the support of others like myself, did I get better. I attended the Depressed Anonymous meetings and made use of their their recovery tools. Now, I attend meetings as often as I can. There is hope…and we do recover.

RESOURCE

12 Step Meeting, Fellowship, Mutual Aid

ZOOM EASTER MEETING SUNDAY AT 4-5PM / MOUNTAIN TIME

April 4, 2021 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

INTERNATIONAL ZOOM MEETING
12 Step Depressed Anonymous Meeting
HOPE FOR TODAY

Zoom ID: 828-7881-3776 9 (No Password is needed).
EASTER SUNDAY – MEETING TIME 4-5PM Mountain time–every Sunday

contacts Randy & Mike phone: 720.771.8414 E-mail: rev77@live.com

Website for all Depressed Anonymous meetings
depressedanonymous.org

NOTICE: Whenever a blog post mentions an online meeting be sure to consult the page Online Depressed Anonymous Meetings for the most up to date and correct information. If the blog post is more than a few days old there is a chance it could be incorrect.

Hope

YouTube Playlist on Depression

March 28, 2021 Bill R Leave a comment

Given the deadly nature of depression and how some people can’t or won’t participate in recovery here is a link to a playlist on YouTube. The playlist includes: short films, TED Talks, documentaries, college lecture, out there alternative treatment options. No endorsement real or implied.

Depressed Anonymous believes that the 12 Steps are the most effective way of managing your disease of depression. As a fellowship we don’t believe and agree on any single cause of depression. Also as a fellowship we have no opinions on other treatment options: it is up to the individual, with input from their doctor, to come up with a plan for managing their depression. Depressed Anonymous does believe that a portion of our depression is self-created, and by following the 12 Steps you can stop doing those things that add to your depression.

For whatever reason recovery and the 12 Steps rub some people the wrong way. Perhaps it’s because we use the word God – we do not require a belief in any religious theology or doctrine. We merely believe there exists a Higher Power (and it could be the group) that can help us manage the disease of depression.

Here is the link to the playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-6rJNUx6cXCxacWbyHOcQLJCmW55U0gd

Hope

Non-recovery Resources for Depression

March 28, 2021 Bill R Leave a comment

TRADITION FIVE – Each group has but one primary purpose- to carry its message to the depressed person who still suffers.

In light of the fact that depression is a chronic, progressive, and if untreated, a fatal disease we are sharing these non-recovery resources around depression. This is not an exhaustive list mind you, but it is a start.

AUSTRALIA

Australian Government Department of Health
Mental health and suicide prevention
https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/mental-health-and-suicide-prevention
Some information available but site is mostly dedicated to providing mental health services to those residing in Australia

Beyond Blue
https://BeyondBlue.org.au
A non-government organization (NGO) focused on mental health support in Australia.

Lots of information available about various topics such as: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, postnatal depression, Covid and climate anxiety, and many other topics as well.

Discussion forums are available.
Mental health conditions
    Anxiety
    Depression
    PTSD & Trauma
    Suicidal thoughts and self-harm
Caring for myself and others
    Staying well
    Treatments, health professionals and therapies
    Relationships and family issues
    Supporting family and friends with a mental health condition (carers)
    Long term support over the journey
People like mental
    Young people
    Sexual and gender identity
    Multicultural experiences
    Grief and loss

CANADA

Government of Canada – Mental Health and Wellness
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/topics/mental-health-wellness.html

Canadian Mental Health Association
https://cmha.ca/
A non-government organization (NGO) centered around mental health issues in Canada.
They have a BLOG covering many different topics. Peer support and online classes are available but I believe they are only available to Canadian residents.

IRELAND

Ireland Department of Health
https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-health/
Government agency for all health issues including mental health.

Mental Health Ireland
https://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/
A non-government organization (NGO) for mental health issues.

UNITED KINGDOM

United Kingdom NHS mental health services
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Mental Health Foundation
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
A non-government organization (NGO) for mental health issues.
Many articles on different mental health topics. Articles tend to have supporting links available: podcasts, videos, government services, NGO services.

Mind – for better mental health
https://www.mind.org.uk/
A non-government organization (NGO) for mental health issues.

Depression Alliance
https://www.depressionalliance.org/
A non-government organization (NGO) for mental health issues.

UNITED STATES

US – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
https://www.samhsa.gov/
A US federal government agency focused on substance abuse and mental health issues in the US. Links for treament options for substance abuse. A treasure trove of information on mental health and addiction issues. They have 381 publications on mental health, and 430 publications on substance abuse.

National Alliance on Mental Illness
https://www.nami.org/
A non-government organization (NGO) for mental health issues.
They have a helpline, support groups, online discussion groups, publications, video resource library. NAMI also has a number of regional offices distributed throughout the US. The NAMI regional offices provide support groups for a number of issues and tend to be short duration commitments (10 weeks)

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
https://www.dbsalliance.org/
A non-government organization (NGO) for mental health issues.
Information resources: podcasts, videos, brochures, webinars, newsletter, online store. Free online class – Recovery Goal Setting Course – appears to be a workbook and 3 video modules. DBSA also has many local face to face support groups. DBSA also has online support groups.

DA Literature, Depressed Anonymous

I depressed myself. I can undepress myself.

March 27, 2021 Hugh Smith 4 Comments

My name is Linda and the first time I read Depressed Anonymous, I did not like it and I got angry. The first part of the book about turning our mind and lives over to a Higher Power sounded good. I was ready to do that. Hey! Here it is God. You take it. No more depression! But then came the part about a moral inventory,shortcomings and the big one is that I depress myself.

What is he thinking about? I said to myself as I read the book. I had tried to un-depress myself many times. I put the book down, and went to work.

But as I was walking around at work that night feeling very depressed, bits and pieces of the book kept popping into my head and I started to think of the word “stop” just like the book suggested to do. “I depressed myself. I can un-depress myself I said to myself.”

Look for SUNSPOTS, memories from the past that were happy times and ones which bring back happy feelings from years gone by. I tried, but none came to mind. But I did find that thinking about the book and what it said did make me feel a little bit better. Then a piece of a song popped into my mind. “Seek you first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all the others will come to you.” “Hey! A SUNSPOT!” I said to myself.

Then I felt a warm glow and then I did feel better – I did it! I made myself feel better. I did un-depress myself! I had mixed feelings. I wanted to feel better, but admitting I depressed myself was not an easy thing to do.

I went back and reread the book, but now with an open mind. I have started to to follow the Twelve Steps and with the help of the Higher Power, I can have a brighter future. I am making and putting in my memory a lot of SUNSPOTS for those times when I am feeling depressed and which I can choose to draw upon when I feel that I need them.
I put up a “stop” sign and bring out a SUNSPOT to carry me through.

Source:

12 Step Meeting, Community building, Fellowship, Mutual Aid, Supportive Actions

New DA Meeting (Hope for Today) On Zoom 3/28/2021

March 27, 2021 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

“HOPE FOR TODAY” DA MEETING ON ZOOM EVERY SUNDAY 4-5PM (MOUNTAIN TIME)
Depressed Anonymous 12 Step Meeting

CONTACT INFO: Randy R

720.772.8414 MT

rev77@live.com

Origination location: Denver, Colorado
Founding members: Randy R, and Mike B
ZOOM MEETING: Please contact rev77@live.com for ZOOM ID. No Password required.

Thank you Randy and Mike for making this meeting possible today and every Sunday. Welcome to all.
Hugh

Depressed Anonymous, Depressed Anonymous Workbook, Hope, Purpose, Spirituality, The 12 Steps

Lois got it right

March 25, 2021 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

Lois joins a Depressed Anonymous mutual aid group.

It was December of 1992 that I made that decision. I knew that I was powerless over depression and that my life had become unmanageable. I was willing to do anything that Depressed Anonymous offered. I wanted to get rid of the pain. If Depressed Anonymous had told me that I would get well if I stood on my head three times a day, I would have done it. Daily I read from the book and consciously worked the Twelve Steps. I worked them one at a time from One through Twelve. Working the Steps to me meant posting the Step I was working on and consciously pondering it throughout the day.

Lois, a member of Depressed Anonymous

Source:

For more information on Depressed Anonymous literature and ordering online, please VISIT THE STORE at The Depressed Anonymous Publications Bookstore.

12 Step Meeting, Fellowship, Mutual Aid

A new Depressed Anonymous meeting is scheduled for Denver, Colorado this Sunday 3/28/2021

March 23, 2021 Hugh Smith 4 Comments

Updated 29 March 2021, new Zoom meeting info for Sunday 4:00pm Mountain Time meeting

Good news for Denver, Colorado, as a new 12 Step Depressed Anonymous mutual aid group is hosting its first meeting this coming Sunday, 3/28/2120.

Group Name	Hope for Today, Depressed Anonymous meeting
Group Type	Depressed Anonymous 12 Step meeting
Day & Time	Sunday at 4:00-5:00 pm Mountain Time
Frequency	Weekly
Online Venue	Zoom.us
ZOOM ID	828 7881 3776 (No password needed) Updated 29 March 2021, new Zoom meeting info for Sunday 4:00pm Mountain Time meeting
Founding Members	Randy R and Mike B
Contact Information	720-771-8414 rev77@live.com
Origination Location	Denver, Colorado
First meeting Date	Sunday, March 28, 2021

12 Step Meeting

I was beginning to feel better, my sad mood was lifting and then my mind’s critic whispered, “Yea, but it won’t last!”

March 16, 2021 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

The mind’s inner critic has it all figured out. It had always been this way, especially the past year and a half. Always the negative verdict. No clemency here. I felt that I was doomed, never able to climb out of the hole that swallowed me alive.

When I felt the lightness in my mood it came as a total surprise. I had been walking for over a year and then suddenly I felt that there might be a light at the end of the tunnel. I know I had paid my dues to whatever it was that had me immobilized in fear and fatigue.

The inner critic in my mind made sure to let me know that this short spell of an upward positive mood was to be short-lived. “It isn’t going to last” was a thought like all the other negative thoughts that continually filled my mind. In fact it wasn’t until a few days later, that the positive mood took over completely and has stayed with me to this day.

My life changed from night to day. I could not believe that I was feeling like my old self, hopeful and filed with plans for the future. Instead of every thought spiraling me downward into the abyss, I was looking toward each new day with hope. My positive mood was deepening.

One final word. Then I became a member of Depressed Anonymous where I could share my story of hope and recovery. In fact, many times when I shared my story with the group, some of our members would tell me that it felt like I was telling “THEIR” story.

And now when reading a piece of my own story, I do hope that you join us online where we meet everyday and hear how our program of recovery is filled with solutions – it is a solution focused program – where group members gradually find a way out of depression. Depressed Anonymous has provided me with a key -the 12 Steps- for turning my life around and provided me with a plan. This plan not only works for me, but provides healing for those countless other lives who learn how to make the positive choices to live with hope and be part of a fellowship.

Please click onto our website at https://depressedanonymous.org where you will not only find answers for some of your own life’s challenges, but also be part of a community with those persons who live out recovery in their own daily lives.

For more information please check out the literature offered for our friends at The Depressed Anonymous Publications site. Our manual, Depressed Anonymous, the 3rd edition, is the book that is our guide for personal reflections as well a group discussion recovery guide.
Also, please join an online daily DA group at https://join.skype.com/EfjQ2rGUOEPv Depressed Anonymous Journey of Hope. We hope to see you there.

DA Literature, Mutual Aid

Dep-Anon: A 12 Step Recovery Program for families and friends of the depressed

March 13, 2021 Hugh Smith Leave a comment

Dep-Anon, a new publication from Depressed Anonymous Publications will be available this month and serve as a support group guide for family members who have a loved one whose life is affected by depression.
Here, you will learn how the various symptoms of depression can overtake the mind and feelings of your loved one. The chapter What is Depression? provides examples of behaviors demonstrating how negative symptoms can immobilize and change your loved one.
You will join with others families, no longer feeling alone, using the tools of Dep-Anon. You can learn how the spiritual principles of the 12 Steps, applied to one’s own situation, will accompany you through every chapter of this new work.
A new feeling of hope will begin to take hold as you participate in Dep-Anon meetings. You will learn from other Dep-Anon family members how to take care of yourself. Your focus begins with yourself and not the depressed family member. You will find that you can only change yourself.

To thine own self first be true.

This week stayed tuned to this website https://depressedanonymous.org where you will be able to order your own copy or order one for a family member.
Copyright(c) Dep-Anon A 12 Step recovery program of recovery for families and friends of the depressed.
(2121) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville, KY.

TRADITION FIVE – Each group has but one primary purpose- to carry its message to the depressed person who still suffers.

AUSTRALIA

CANADA

IRELAND

UNITED KINGDOM

UNITED STATES

Source:

Source:

Hope is just a few steps away!