I'm a College student and many of us are dealing with depression

[GingerSnaps]

I had to call in to the crisis center on my campus today because I am going through severe depression to the point of not wanting to live but I am not suicidal.

I found out that my College has so many people that tried to function in class yesterday and couldn't that they had to cancel some of the classes. People were breaking down and crying in the hallways and our crisis center said that they have not seen anything like this ever. The counselor that I spoke to a few minutes ago said that it happened right after Bush was put into office again.

Is this happening everywhere even in the red states? I live in a blue state and why do I get a feeling that this is massive and not just in my College?

[shrike]

1. Kiddo, I'm fortysomething and I'm quite depressed

I'm so sorry for you guys. This is my generation's legacy to you. I should have fought harder for you. I'm sorry.

[depakid]

2. I actually missed an appointment with my doc yesterday

because I was to depressed to get to the student health center. He understood. I imagine that they may be seeing a lot more depression cases in the next several weeks.

[undergroundpanther]

4. You might need this in the future

MindFreedom News - 3 November 2004
http://wwww.MindFreedom.org - please forward

NEWS RELEASE

Today's Re-Election of President Bush
May Mean More Psychiatric Coercion,
Advocates Warn

MindFreedom Announces New
MindFreedom Shield Program

"All for One and One for All!"

With today's re-election of President Bush,
advocates for the human rights of people
affected by the mental health system are
preparing for the worst.

Today, MindFreedom International, an
independent non-profit coalition of 100
grassroots groups, is launching the
MindFreedom Shield Program to defend members
from an expected increase in coerced and
forced psychiatric procedures.

President Bush has endorsed a drug company
plan to screen every American for mental
health problems. A Bush appointee to a key
federal committee, psychiatrist Sally Satel,
has openly called for more "coercive,"
"intrusive, highly paternalistic" and
"involuntary care" in mental health.

MindFreedom International has an
established track record of taking
constructive, nonviolent action when a
person is being subjected to coerced or
forced psychiatric procedures. In order
to better utilize its very limited
resources, MindFreedom International
announces the official beginning of the
MindFreedom Shield Program.

MindFreedom Shield is a coordinated
registration system and solidarity
network composed by and for people who
want to have as much protection as
possible from being subjected to
coerced or forced psychiatric
"treatment."

"I hope this program lets people know
that they not only have choice A, B, or
C but that they are free to choose,
'NONE OF THE ABOVE!'" explains
advocate Pat Risser, one of a group of
psychiatric survivors who envisioned
and initiated the concept that has
become the MindFreedom Shield.
"This is a way to 'just say no' to
oppression."

MindFreedom Shield is designed to
support a person's choice to be
free from coerced or forced
psychiatric "treatment" by backing this
personal choice up with the MindFreedom
Solidarity Network -- a network of
people ready to take constructive,
nonviolent action if someone's choice
to be free from coerced or forced
psychiatric "treatment" is not being
respected or upheld.

As the current mental health system
continues to globalize and rely more
and more on coercion and outright
force, many people's rights to have
their previously expressed and even
properly documented wishes carried out
are being ignored. The recent
recommendations of the President's New
Freedom Commission to begin universal
mental health screening, currently
being implemented in several states, is
only one example of the increasing use
of such pressure.

In order to best implement this
program, MindFreedom is collaborating
closely with sponsor group The Law
Project for Psychiatric Rights
(PsychRights.org). "Through this
mechanism people saddled with
psychiatric labels can unite and offer
effective resistance to psychiatric abuses,"
said attorney Jim Gottstein, director
of PsychRights. "The MindFreedom Shield
Program fits PsychRights' mission of
defending people facing the horrors of
forced psychiatric drugging and other
forced psychiatric procedures
administered against their will
perfectly."

All for One and One for All

MindFreedom board member and psychologist
Al Galves, PhD said, "The MindFreedom Shield
is a quick, cost-effective defense against
people being railroaded into using such
methods as medication and electroshock
to alleviate normal responses to life
issues that can more effectively,
economically and safely be addressed
through interpersonal emotional support
and creative action."

"We can't guarantee the results,"
cautions MindFreedom director David
Oaks, "But it has been our experience,
including testing the MindFreedom
Shield Program to help free a member
from a Canadian psychiatric facility,
that public awareness and people
engaging in specific, nonviolent action
can often reduce or even end coerced or
forced psychiatric 'treatment.'"

MindFreedom Shield is not meant to take
the place of legal documents expressing
a person's medical and psychiatric care
preferences, such as an "Advance Directive."
MindFreedom Shield is intended to provide
the people power clout it sometimes takes
to enforce a member's wishes, including
members with Advance Directives. "Our
recommendation is that a member have
both a MindFreedom Shield and an
Advance Directive in place." said Krista
Erickson, chair of the MindFreedom Shield
committee.

Any current member of MindFreedom may
register a MindFreedom Shield for free.
Detailed information about the program,
as well as a registration form, can be
found online at:

http://www.mindfreedom.intenex.net/shield

Any MindFreedom member who does not
have access to the Internet may write
to the MindFreedom office to obtain
information about the program.

MindFreedom Support Coalition
International is a grassroots human
rights non-profit uniting over 100
sponsor groups in 15 countries working
for human rights and alternatives in
mental health. The organization is
the only group of its kind with
Non Governmental Organization
accreditation by the United Nations
(ECOSOC Consultative Roster Status).

Sometimes called the "Amnesty
International of mental health,"
MindFreedom is independent from any
government, mental health provider,
drug company or religion.

To join or renew membership in
MindFreedom go to:

http://www.mindfreedom.org/join.shtml

Or write to:

MindFreedom
PO Box 11284
Eugene, OR 9744-3484 USA

For more information on the nationwide
screening program approved by President
Bush, along with his appointee psychiatrist
Sally Satel, see:

http://mindfreedom.org/mindfreedom/bush_psychiatry.shtml

For information about MindFreedom see:

http://www.MindFreedom.org

- end -

Please forward to all appropriate
places on and off Internet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TO UNSUBSCRIBE:
e-mail to [e-mail] with the word REMOVE in the subject line.

[snacker]

3. My daughter called yesterday

from college. After crying together, she told me that everyone at her campus was depressed too. They all dressed in black.

[tridim]

5. Whatever you do, don't let them drug you up.

That's exactly what BushCo wants. I'm not a psychiatrist, but IMO what many of us are feeling isn't a disorder, it's quite the opposite.

[hlthe2b]

8. Let's let psychiatrists make that determination... Some may really NEED

meds to cope right now. I surely don't want someone who is truly feeling suicidal to try to cope without all the help they can receive. Ok?

[tridim]

12. That's why I said "I'm not a psychiatrist" and "IMO"

Certainly some extreme cases will require meds.

[puddycat]

15. For the love of God, STAY AWAY FROM THE PSYCH COMMUNITY

This is critical. If people are feeling suicidal go to an emergency room, but leave as soon as you can, and don't take any psych tests!

In every totalitarian society, psychology/psychiatry is used as a weapon against dissenters, protestors and the intelligentsia.

[hlthe2b]

18. I agree with your fears, but suicide is quite permanent... If they NEED

the help, they simply must go to receive it. What do you think will happen if someone shows up at an ER severely depressed and suicidal-- they will be admitted on 72 hour watch and WILL enter the psychiatric treatment arena.

[GingerSnaps]

20. I am not suicidal

I don't see a future for our country and my life seems like it has a huge void in it right now. It feels like someone close to me has died. I contemplated ended it all for a few seconds but i can't stand pain so I wouldn't be able to do it.

My Doctor gave me a few Ativans for depression.

[puddycat]

21. read my lips--didn't I just say go to an emergency room if suicidal?

Suicidal thoughts can be a symptom of feeling helpless. We are NOT helpless. And there is no where to go but up, and that's a good thing. So I would encourage everyone to keep faith that the future is ours--we just have to be willing to take it back. Hug everyone you know who stands with you in solidarity.

Another thought: this may surprise some people, but I've also reached out to my pro-Bush friends. They have been supportive and loving to me. I think its because they secretly know how bad * is, but their own fears got the best of them, and so they understand. Since their candidate prevailed, they feel its the least they can do to console me, LOL. So, depending on how well you know the pro-*ies in your life, you may try to reach out to them, also.

[Pirate Smile]

6. It is massive and it is everywhere. We are all just trying to figure out

how to just function. I'm not doing a very good job of it.

I just wish I could forget about it for a little while but I don't seem to be able to.

[hlthe2b]

7. ditto.. in my 40s and have been seeing a counseler for career coaching...

She, is a psychologist and says that so many of her clinical patients are taking a depressive trend since the "election" that she has partnered with a psychiatrist for joint therapy on an emergency basis (they can prescribe drugs and she can not).

She feels as we all do and is personally taking this badly, but feels even more helpless because she doesn't know what to offer her patients who feel so out of conrol.

My only suggestion is to try to stay active... long walks helps with stress and clears the mind. Heaven knows none of us can stand to get ill from stress right now. Hang in there. You are not alone.

[Tiberius]

13. my rock band practiced last night

and it was awesome group therapy for all of us. Stay busy and active, it's especially important right now.

[mazzarro]

9. Please, please calm down and keep talking to the counselor

Also stay in touch with the DU world. Together we will overcome this and live to fight another day. Please don't let us down by lapsing into despondency. Do the best you can to pull yourself together and we will keep you going with our thoughts and prayers and well wishes. Once more stay in touch!

[bif]

10. I'm pretty depressed too

I feel like someone in the family just died. Sadly, it's our country that died on Tuesday.

[ladjf]

11. Bushneedstogo: Your response is perfectly justified. Anyone

who loves America, life, the human race and themselves and who can think objectively clearly realizes what a threat the Bush administration is to all of the above. You and your friends will be able to regain your composure but, like so many others, will never be able to reconcile yourselves with the criminal operations that are taking place in America.

jimf

[undergroundpanther]

16. Do what you need to do

Do Seek out support where you can find it,take medicines if they help you..
But also be aware of the agenda with mental health too,watch out for the razorblade in the apple that 'professional'help gives with it's goodwill is all I am saying.Be careful about whom you trust, ask lots of questions,and seek out peer support if you can.And don't be cocerced or bullied by "professionals"or parents becaue you are vunerable or stressed out.It's ok to have emotions and feel things deeply.It means you are human and have a heart.
Take care of yourself and each other...

Here are some useful links to consumer run peer supports.

http://www.onourownmd.org/cnn.htm

http://my.webmd.com/hw/mental_health/shc73.asp

[GingerSnaps]

14. I can't stop crying

When they take your voting rights away your country is gone. :cry:

People were protesting yesterday and the news didn't even cover it.

[smirkymonkey]

25. Hang in there - so many of us are feeling the same way.

It helps to talk/write about it and when you feel better, take some positive action.

I know how you feel, it's awful, but stay connected to DU and we'll all go through it together! :)

[AndyTiedye]

31. Our Country Was Stolen Four Years Ago

Can we ever get it back? :cry:

[aintitfunny]

17. We are all this way

I am going to be 50 next year, and I have not been this depressed about an election since Reagan won the 1st time, and this is considerably worse. So take heart, we are all mourning together. It is a sign you love your country and care about the future of all Americans, even the misguided. If a majority cared as much as you, we would not be so despondant.

As much as I would like to cut and run and go hide in a cave somewhere, reality says we do not have any hope if we do not stand together over these next years. We must begin to take our country back first winning Senate and Congressional seats in '06 and then the White house in '08. So wallow for a while, thats what I'm going to do and then keep up the pressure on the Press, our government leaders and work to turn this country around. Please stay involved.

[puddycat]

19. Look, depression is NORMAL. Its a normal human emotion.

Don't get dragged into the psych community. Seek spiritual help if you are religious, or if you're not seek support from those who think like you do. Hugging is good--go up to people you know are hurting like you are and give them a big hug and encouraging words! Go to your own family doctor if he/she is kind and explain what is going on but you don't want to go to a psych doctor, and see if he has suggestions.

Or, if you need to sleep and can't go get some over-the-counter sleep aid.

Once you get into the Psych community though, you are labelled and they can use it against you in the future. Under Bush, the Psych community will become increasingly dangerous. We have to find alternate ways to support people in crisis.

[American Tragedy]

22. I live in a red state and I feel horrible

I am about to cancel two of my classes if they will allow me because I just can't bear it; my lexapro was doubled but it hasn't helped. If they won't let me I guess I will just wind up failing. If I do fail, that for me will be the end of all hope, because school is all I have and the only way I can demonstrate any competence or value to anyone.

It's hit me hard because I'm a political science major and this was supposed to be my dream, fixation of my life. It hurt so much and made me question whether the entire system was just futile.

[undergroundpanther]

23. What state?

[American Tragedy]

24. Kentucky

Louisville.

[undergroundpanther]

27. a starting spot

Statewide consumer organizations are run by and for consumers of mental health services and promote consumer empowerment. These organizations provide information about mental health and other support services at the State level and are active in addressing and advocating for mental health system issues. For more information about consumer activities in your State, contact:

Kentucky Consumers Advocacy Network
10510 La Grange Road, Building 103
Louisville, KY 40223
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Toll-free: 888-743-0493
E-mail: [e-mail]

[American Tragedy]

28. What shall I ask of them, exactly?

[undergroundpanther]

37. Ask

If there are any support groups for depression you can attend soon,because you need someone to talk to and that you need a referral to one in your area(tell them where you are at).

[GingerSnaps]

39. Sorry

It has to be very difficult to live in a red state right now.

[DARE to HOPE]

26. Dear child,

As others have said, depression is NORMAL in the aftermath of this terrible loss. Sleep is a good solution once the tears are spent. I really believe in hot baths with Epsom salts, sea salt, baking soda for soothing heart and body both, and a good prelude to sleep.

Then, when energy comes back a bit, add some healthy carbs, wholegrain pasta or chicken soup, hot chocolate that is low on sugar (xylitol or stevia,) oatmeal with raisins and bananas (and coconut milk.) Add protein in as you feel a little better, especially eggs.

Then, find a tree-lined place and go for a walk. Play music that you love. Even try some classical, which can sooth the spirit.

I went to church last night, with my clergyman husband. It helped to pray, and pray the psalms, and sing the Reformation hymns. I cried so much. I had to cancel my choir, I just didn't have the energy to lead anybody else. But the view of history, both American and Christian history, is full of examples of times of loss, of devastation. I think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, of Corrie ten Boem over against the Nazis in Germany. Knowing that God/the Universe really IS filled with love for us, despite how things feel right now, is a powerful antidote to the sword through the heart that we are all experiencing.

Evil men have always done evil things to grasp power. And America is such a prize, the most powerful, rich country on earth, though they are trying to choke us.

Nevertheless, I alone am responsible for my life. And I DO NOT CONSENT to the evil they are doing. Whatever positive action, writing, thoughts I can have in my own area of living offsets the evil in the world. Love DOES conquer in the end, I do believe this. Truth, Faith, Hope, Love are the values to live by which do produce real results, and inoculate one against the real mud of wickedness in the world. Ferret out the Truth! Hold onto the Faith, in your country, in your countrymen. Find and remind yourself and others of reasons for Hope. And...the hardest...Love even your enemies, but first, yourself, your loved ones, your very life in this world.

God IS Love. And this usurper, this heretic, this pitiful shell of a "president" can NOT destroy that, break through that shell around us, any more than he can speak the truth about anything. Bask in the Love of God. And believe that God is FOR you, has a role for you, has a reason you were made so uniquely and live among the people you do.

And by then, your eyes will be opened, you can stretch and look around you, and see the blessings that are still there, and the blessing you are. TBG. There is plenty of work out there for each of us. God bless.

[undergroundpanther]

34. Yes depression

Is a normal reaction to being hurt


I do however think if you are in severe distress that you seek supports.Hot baths help,crying,is all good.But human contact with sympathetic listening ears ,are stronger than faith.

Religion did nothing for me..Who knows what religion might do to help others.I can't say for them.And I refuse to let other say for them either.I do find alot of hurting people are sick of proseletyzing.Proseletyzing exploits vunerabilities and it has no place with someone who has not asked for pastoral counseling.I have found other peoples faith interfere with my sanity and faith is not a required to find strength within when you face depression.. However finding a community of kind people with open ears and no beliefs to sell you really helped me cope.

People who don't seek to control me,tell me what to do, or offer thier panceas and pladitudes that may help them,assuming it will fix me,helped me find what works *for me*.
All of us are different in how we cope and that is OK..For me it was finding non-judgemental,ethical,not churchy,people who have struggled with mental illness themselves .I find my peers are easier to talk to .When it's someone who's been there,who really just cares because it's what they choose to do because it's in thier hearts,they have empathy and just want to be there and listen..that really helps me sort out things..and I don't feel pressured or alone.I feel supported and part of something.

I am active in the peer run support community.I am with a GBLT group called Hearts and Ears.I tell ya they are a unique and precious community and emotional haven of freinds for me. Ever since the election and I found I felt suicidal last night, I have been a fixture there,giving and recieving support.And I feel I can cope now.

[GingerSnaps]

29. Almost two months ago my ex came out of the closet

I had to process that in my head and get past it and I am still in pain. I thought that it was me and that I must be horrible looking and gross. I even went through the trouble of buying some of those bra inserts because I thought that a size B wasn't big enough and I thought that could be the reason that I wasn't attracting him in the right kind of way. He even took a ton of Viagra's and they didn't work and he said that I wasn't physically attractive to him. The whole time I thought that it was me but when I would talk to people at my College they kept saying that it was him and nothing was wrong with my weight or looks.

Right now I have to deal with two things. Forgetting about a man that made me feel like everything was my fault and that I was ugly and fat and the horrible next four years of our democracy being stolen right out from underneath us.

[Q3JR4]

35. It isn't your fault.

You can think about it like this. Either he married you did the whole settling-down-having-a-couple-of-kids thing, all the while making your life, his life, your children's lives living completely miserable, or he came out to you now to spare you the pain of what you'll go through later.

I can imagine the pain and the hurt you're feeling, but it could have always been worse. At least he had the balls to tell you before you got too much more emotionally invested in him.

[undergroundpanther]

36. If he was gay

Gayness isn't your fault.
However his deception twords you about his orientation was wrong.
Alot of gay folk try to be hetero.Society pressures gay folk thier families disown them because they are gay,so there is lot of fear about coming out.
BUT that is no excuse for what happened to you.He should have been honest with you and told you he liked men too.But maybe your ideals of momogamy and straight only relationship may have been what he thought would"make him" be straight.It's pathetic for him to use this and devistating for you to be used as a straight making device.
Don't hate your body because of him.. this culture bashes women for not being barbie dolls and it torments women.Please do not let this issue make you take the anger you have as him out on yourself.You do not deserve torturing your own your body and hate it for ANYONE else's opinions or "attraction" factor..

I feel this is a resulting tragedy of societies persecution of GBLT people,This bigoted hateful shit the religions and rightwingers do must stop.To be Gay or trans in this culture is dangerous to life and limb.Still GBLT folk must find the courage to live out of the closet and support each other coming out..and encourage married or engaged to opposite sex GBLT people to at least tell the truth to their own partners they are claiming to love and get involved with for life the truth...

Secrets of this magnitude do not save anyone from a hurtful reality.In fact secrets kept from lovers hurt worse than telling the truth early on,or telling it all as soon as you know it is true in your own heart. Sometimes you have to let go.Sometimes you have to face the music and bow out gracefully.When a secret life is exposed in a long term committed relationship ,More than your own life becomes a lie and lying hurts more than the truth said right out on day one,because of the emotional investments, and betrayal that's involved.. I am in a relationship we are both BI and I am transgender. We were honest on day one about our sexual/gender orientations.We have been companions for 8 years.We have a deep freindship.Sexually we are fickle and neither takes it personal..sometimes momogamy and straight only is not a persons orientation.But society demands this families demand this and too many people get hurt trying to live up to this myth of one man one woman.
Just my two cents.

[GingerSnaps]

38. I wanted to be friends

Nothing more but he asked me to marry him and then told his whole family that he was getting married. I fluctuate between a size 10/12 and I like the size that I am. His comments were very hurtful. He didn't tell be about coming out his family told me.

I have gone through emotional stages during the past weeks and it has been from feeling sorry and caring about him to hating him and I don't want to hate him.

[Dastard Stepchild]

30. Yup ... same here....

The preofessors in my classes didn't even try to teach. We just talked about the election, and what this meant for all ofus.

[Q3JR4]

32. Don't be depressed

at least not for long. As Randi said yesterday, get up out of the chair, go to the nearest window, open it, stick your head out, and scream "I'm mad as hell and I'm NOT going to take it anymore!!!!"

You can be depressed for a bit, but we need you to get back on your feet and become outraged. Our Democracy was stolen from us. We can't let them get away with it again. If we do, the bastards really will have a mandate.

[barackmyworld]

33. Same here...

I mean, I guess you could expect that a school in Mass would be hit pretty hard, especially since so many people were at the rally in copley. There have been a lot of sad faces, a LOT.

[pstokely]

40. what percentage of student's at your college voted

don't stop registering people, get them involved in elections in their hometowns

[GingerSnaps]

42. They had a table set up

After you voted you were entered into a contest to win all kinds of prizes and we also had lunch provided for us. It was a nice perk!

[pstokely]

43. don't stop the effort

do it again in 2006

[SmokingJacket]

41. It's called GRIEF

I too feel this way, just as if a good friend died.

Take care of yourself. Talk to friends.

But grief is absolutely normal right now. It means you care.

[DrZeeLit]

44. I taught my classes today, and...

...I thought I wasn't going to be able to do it.
I had a good cry with a couple of students.
I pushed myself to be upbeat and helpful.
I took a couple of them aside and asked if they were okay, especially one of my gay students. He looked really bad. And when he started talking so much came out. Usually he's very happy and dresses nicely; today he's wearing the same clothes he's been wearing since Tuesday.

I usually pick up the energy of the room and it was hard working with it today. I wasn't there yesterday and staff told me the college was like a morgue.

I can only hope that as a faculty member I am in the right place at the right time to offer the right words and in case no words are necessary, offer the space for my students to "be."

They are facing a major crisis. The draft is real. Their dreams are real. Mine are, too, but I remember the idealism of youth and how awful it is when that moment hits and idealism dies. I can't even talk about so many beyond-painful moments: JFK and RFK deaths, MLK death. Those were certain nails in coffins, yet I somehow continued.

I hope in conveying that survival and fight, I can help them.
If we are now "elders" (something I'll have to get used to) then we owe them the truth and our hearts.

Because, I don't want to live in a world where our children ...
well, it's too ghastly to imagine.

So, reach out and offer service -- in whatever form it takes.
Open your hands and arms.

[auburngrad82]

45. I'm sorry you feel bad but if they didn't vote then I can't feel for them

Less than 1 in 10 people ages 18-25 voted in this election. I'm sure you voted but your classmates apparently didn't. Maybe when the draft starts again they'll get off their asses and start voting. No offense but you are in the minority when it comes to voting.

Once again, sorry you feel bad. We all do. Now we need to get over it and start doing something about it.