CWD Daily

September 2, 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

“Moonrise on the lake? I spent this night shivering and laughing under a clear, cold sky full of stars with people I love just to witness something beautiful. We mooned the moon and laughed ourselves hoarse, and I'm so incredibly grateful for every silly second. I came to a realization this year that I feel compelled to share here, for whomsoever may need it: Avoiding fear, sadness or anger is not the same thing as being happy. I live my sadness every day, but I don't resent it anymore. Instead, I do it now so that the wonderful moments of joy I do find are not in order to forget, but to inhabit and enjoy for their own sake. It's not easy. In fact, I'd say it takes much more effort to consciously do than it does to just stay sad, but with all my heart, I cannot tell you how worth it it is. And for those suffering from depression, I know how dark and endless that tunnel can feel, but if happiness seems impossible to find, please hold on to the possibility of hope, faint though it may be. Because I promise you, there're enough nights under the same yellow moon for all of us to share, no matter how or when you find your way there.”

– Robin Williams’ daughter on Instagram

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

September 1, 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

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness.

National Suicide Prevention Week is the Monday through Sunday surrounding World Suicide Prevention Day. It’s a time to share resources and stories, as well as promote suicide prevention awareness.

World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10. It’s a time to remember those affected by suicide, to raise awareness, and to focus efforts on directing treatment to those who need it most.

If you are thinking about suicide, please talk to someone. The Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

August 31, 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 some cases depression can manifest as restless leg syndrome.

Get checked out by a doctor if you have restless leg syndrome and depression. Treating the one may just improve the other.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

August 30, 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.

If you think your friend is considering suicide, urge them to call their therapist while you’re with them or ask your friend if you can call for them.

They can also text “HOME” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Not in the United States? The International Association for Suicide Prevention can link you to hot-lines and other resources in your country: iasp.info/wspd2021/resources/

You can also take your friend to an emergency room. If possible, stay with your friend until they no longer feel suicidal. Make sure they can’t access any weapons or drugs.

If you’re concerned about your friend, you might worry that mentioning it to them could encourage suicidal thoughts. But it’s generally helpful to talk about it.

healthline.com had a great article on helping a depressed friend:
healthline.com/health/how-to-help-a-depressed-friend#recognize-the-forms

Things to do:

Listen to them. Help them find support. Support them in continuing therapy. Take care of yourself. Learn about depression on your own. Offer to help with everyday tasks. Extend loose invitations. Be patient. Stay in touch. Know the different forms depression can take.

Things not to do:

Don't take things personally. Don't try to fix them. Don't give advice. Don't minimize or compare their experience. Don't take a stance on medication.

If you think your friend is considering suicide, urge them to call their therapist while you’re with them or ask your friend if you can call for them.

Some signs of suicidal thoughts:

Frequent mood swings or personality changes. Talking about death or dying. Purchasing a weapon. Increased substance use. Risky or dangerous behavior. Getting rid of belongings or giving away treasured possessions. Talking about feeling trapped or wanting a way out. Pushing people away or saying they want to be alone. Saying goodbye with more feeling than usual.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

August 29, 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

WebMD sends out a regular Depression Newsletter. Their article 10 Natural Depression Treatments concludes: “When you're depressed, you can lose the knack for enjoying life... You have to relearn how to do it. In time, fun things really will feel fun again.”

Get in a routine.
Set goals.
Exercise.
Eat healthy.
Get enough sleep.
Take on responsibilities. (Check out the full article to understand this one!)
Challenge negative thoughts.
Check with your doctor before using supplements.
Do something new.
Try to have fun.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

August 28, 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

10 Ways to Show Love to Someone with Depression – by Kelley Baker, contributor to the Huffington Post

This is wonderful. Follow the link, HERE, to the entire post with all the details, but here is the list, in brief:

Help them keep clutter at bay.
Fix them a healthy meal.
Get them outside.
Ask them to help you understand what they're feeling.
Encourage them to focus on self-care.
Hug them.
Laugh with them.
Reassure them that you can handle their feelings.
Challenge their destructive thoughts.
Remind them why you love them.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

August 27, 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

The summer's almost over and you haven't gotten to the shore?

Transport yourself with the sounds of waves and seagulls. The video linked below is 10 hours long so you can let it play all night while you sleep.

youtube.com/watch?v=E9w6_FjYcYs

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

August 26, 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

Have there been times when you knew you had to do something, personally or professionally, and could not do it? Really had to, must, must, must do it? As in if you did not do it there could be extremely dire consequences, such as losing a job or business?

And yet you could not do it? It might have been something as simple as making a phone call, but you physically could not pick up the phone. Just could not.

There is a concept called “paralysis of the will” or “motivational paralysis”.

If you can understand this inability to act and put it in context, you can recognize it for what it is if and when it happens again: a symptom of depression.

And then you can move through it and act. You can actually do things you are completely and utterly convinced you cannot do.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com

August 25, 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

Sometimes when you are determined to make changes it seems like the old patterns put up a superhuman resistance. Like they are simply not leaving. They're staying and screw you.

It feels like you will never make progress against depression. It's here to stay. It has dug in its heels.

Try to be patient and force your way through to the other side. Keep going. Get help.

It will get better.

Contact: witchhazel2020@gmail.com