Hey, sisterfriends! I hope you don't mind me chiming in on your post, but I have been on both sides of the depression issue, and it is SERIOUS BUSINESS! If it was not for my pledge daughter, I don't know what I would have done! Depreesed people have a tendency to internalize, particularly women of color. We were not really raised to show weakness, and unfortunately many minority cases of clinical depression go undiagnosed, because the sufferer thinks it's just being weak. If the person you are concerned about lives in a cold climate, they are more likely to be more depressed than a counterpart in a warm area. It has to do with sunlight. If it is depression, let them know that it is not something they will 'snap out of', and unfortunately one of the people I knew and wanted to get help for in school thought they would...They jumped off an interstate overpass a few weeks later, and died of internal injuries after an extended hospital stay. If anyone wants to talk, let me know, I can be a good ear, or refer you to a couple of orgs. that can help! Remember sisters, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and If you think all else fails, God never does!
PS - If anyone has a subscription to Honey Magazine, there is a great article in the February Issue (Eve is on the front), so check it out....In the meantime, here are a few links that may help out in the meantime!
*The National Mental Health Assoc.
-800.969.6642, or
www.nmha.org
*Online Therapy at
www.here2listen.com
*Nat'l women's health info center - 800.994.WOMAN, or
www.4woman.org
*And here is a book-haven't read it, but heard it's good! "Can I Get a Witness?: Black Women and Depression" by Julia A. Boyd
Sorry for the long post, but I love all my SF's, and want you to be well! That depression is a bad thing...I know from personal experience! Good luck with yourselves, and your friends! e-mail me if you need more links!
Love Y'all!
soror6
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Spr'91
[This message has been edited by soror6 (edited February 06, 2001).]