CWD Daily

July 17, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

Do you remember your favorite book when you were a child?

Find it at the library or purchase it and read it again. Bring back the feelings you had when anything was possible and the future looked bright.

Because it’s still bright. It really is, but believing that is tough sometimes. Believe again!

CWD Daily is written by Julie Aiken, a layperson whose only authority lies in 40 years of coping with depression. Nothing in the newsletter should be taken as medical advice. Please do no self-diagnose or self-prescribe. Above all, please get help if you need it.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

July 16, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

HERE is an uplifting and relaxing webcam of grizzly bears, at Brooks Falls in Alaska. This is outstanding before bed after a stressful day!

The bears are active through the autumn, so give it a whirl!

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

July 15, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

In case you missed the memo, coloring is now for adults. It's a great way to spark creativity and to calm anxiety. It really can make you feel better, or at least shift your frame of mind.

Mandalas, landscapes, cartoons... Color whatever you feel like coloring, in a book or freehand.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

July 14, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

Find your clan – or make it – online.

It's not pathetic; it's very real community. There are tons of folks out there that can relate to your unique self. Really, there are! People who share your interests and passions and who relate to your struggles. As one of the women I'm virtual friends with through YouTube says, “Be brave.”

HERE is a great video by a woman who has taken extreme anxiety and triumphed in spite of it. And I mean triumphed! Known as grav3yardgirl, she has over 8 million followers on YouTube!!!

She is open and honest about her incredible depression and social anxiety, but mostly her channel is not about that – it's about random make-up and fashion and silly stuff. She has created a “family” – a virtual family that interacts and supports each other and argues. Like a family.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

July 13, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

Blah, blah, blah.

Sometimes every word I write here seems like drivel. Stupid, inane crap.

Sometimes no one can say anything “helpful” that doesn't sound like a load of dung.

That's depression. Nice words don't cure depression.

You are the only one who can turn it around, and it isn't easy. It's ridiculously difficult. Good thing tomorrow's a fresh opportunity and all that.

Hang on. Get help if you can. And hang on.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

July 12, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

Get help.

Debt, lack of money, underemployment – all chip away at our sense of self-worth, making the struggle against depression that much more difficult. You may feel like a piece of crap when you have no money and believe you have no prospects.

The bottom line is when you're depressed you are not thinking clearly. Everything is colored by your depression. Including your finances.

It's exhausting!

For free financial counseling, check out Financial Help for the Rest of Us.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

July 11, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

“Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth. They infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope, and happiness out of the air around them… Get too near a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of you.”

This is a description of creatures in the Harry Potter books. The creator of this marvelous universe, J.K. Rowling, herself, has suffered from severe depression and admits that to an extent Dementors represent depression.

To drive off Dementors, picture your “Patronus,” the creature that is your protector, a representation of a courageous and tough self that embodies strength or joy or hope to you. (A wolf, a dog, a unicorn, a bird, a bull, a lion...)

Stand tall. Point your wand or the palm of your hand at the Dementors, focus as strongly as you can on a happy memory, and shout “Expecto Patronum!” Your Patronus then launches itself at the Dementors and they disappear.

Give it a try.

HERE J.K. Rowling discusses Depression and Failure.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

July 10, 2021

CWD Daily

Tips for Coping with Depression

If you are in a suicide crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255.

Tip of the Day

“You gotta' take care of what you've gotta' take care of. But sometimes you just have to let it go.”

A weekly anti-depressant! Dr. Ivy is so much fun and truly inspirational!

HERE is a video from August, 2020. (This is on Facebook, so you may have to sign into your account to watch it. She also has a Y o uT ube c hannel.)

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

Get Help!

Here are 7 resources with toll-free phone or text numbers for emergency help:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (English & Spanish) - 988
Lifeline Crisis Chat: https://988lifeline.org/chat/

Crisis Text Line – US and Canada: text “HOME” to 741741
UK: text “HOME” to 85258 – Ireland: text “HOME” to 50808

The Trevor Project: www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/
Crisis/Suicide Intervention for LGBTQ youth under 25, 1-866-488-7386.
Free, confidential, secure – text START to 678-678.

National Domestic Violence Helpline:
1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 – TTY – 1-800-787-3224
Chat in Spanish from the website: https://espanol.thehotline.org/

Military OneSource – Help for U.S. Military Personnel
Call and talk anytime, 24/7, in Spanish & English – 1-800-342-9647.
TTY/TDD – Dial 711 and give the toll free number 800-342-9647
Live Chat – https://livechat.militaryonesourceconnect.org/chat/

The International Association for Suicide Prevention can link you to hotlines and other resources outside of the USA: https://www.iasp.info/resources/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline:
1-800-662-4357 or TTY: 1-800-487-4889
Confidential, free, 24/365 information service, in English and Spanish