Depression Resources
If you’re experiencing depression, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and that depression is treatable.
Below is a list of depression resources for more information and support.
Organizations That Educate and Offer Help
National Alliance on Mental Illness – 1-800-950-NAMI (1-800-950-6264). NAMI is the largest grassroots organization devoted to improving the lives of those affected by mental illness. Through various programs, it aims to change public perception about mental illness, help its members manage mental illness and build up family relationships.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America – 1-240-485-1001. The ADAA works to improve the quality of life of those affected by anxiety and depression related disorders. The programs of the nonprofit provides education, resources, and support for people to find treatment.
National Institute of Mental Health – 1-866-615-6464. The NIMH is the largest research organization in the world committed to understanding the treatment and prevention of mental disorders. It funds research “to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Mental Health – 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). The mental health arm of the CDC is a good source of public health information on mental health.
American Psychological Association – 1-800-374-2721. The APA is a professional organization of psychologists. Its site explains how psychologists work with you to alleviate symptoms and offers information on how to manage health and well-being while coping with depression and anxiety.
American Psychiatric Association – 1-703-907-7300. The APA is a medical society whose members work to ensure that persons with mental illness, including substance use disorders, receive humane care and effective treatment. Educational material is available on their site, as well as help finding a psychiatrist.
Coping, Advocacy, and Support for People Suffering From Depression
Anxiety and Depression Association of America – This site offers blogs by experts and patients, educational webinars, and help finding a support group near you, or information on how to start one if none are available.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). This organization offers support and educational material for those who have or are contemplating suicide, or love someone who has.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance – 1-800-826-3632.
Erika’s Lighthouse – 847-386-6481. This site builds awareness around teenage depression.
Families for Depression Awareness – 1-781-890-0220. Families for Depression Awareness helps families recognize and cope with depression and bipolar disorder to get people well and prevent suicides. They offer education, training, and support to unite families and help them heal while coping with mood disorders.
HelpGuide – HelpGuide is a trusted guide to mental health and wellness. Their goal is to empower you with the knowledge and support you need to take charge of your life and start feeling better.
To Write Love on Her Arms – 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.
Verywell Mind – Verywell Mind is a trusted and compassionate online resource that provides the guidance you need to improve your mental health and find balance. Their library of more than 4,000 pieces of content, created and refined over the past 20+ years, has been written by more than 100 healthcare professionals and industry experts including experienced doctors, therapists, and social workers, and then vetted by board-certified physicians.
Facts and Statistics About Depression
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Depression in the U.S. Household Population 2009–2012.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Depression Among Women
Blogs Voicing the Real Experience of Coping With Depression
Postpartum Progress – The world’s most widely read blog about maternal mental illness.
Pick The Brain – Erin Falconer started Pick the Brain with a focus on self-improvement, not necessarily solely on depression. But depression is a topic that’s frequently touched upon, and those experiencing depression might find the resources provided quite helpful. As a bonus, there are also pieces dedicated to helping the ones you love.
A Splintered Mind – Douglas Cootey started A Splintered Mind in 2005 with the intention of helping others living with ADHD and depression to overcome stigma. He embraces self-deprecating humor, and has since authored the book “Saying ‘No’ to Suicide.” His posts touch on fatherhood, suicide, depression, and ADHD. He’s also an advocate of cognitive behavior therapy over psychotropic meds.
Time To Change – This is a space that originated as a “growing social movement” aimed at “changing how we all think and act about mental health.” It features user-submitted personal stories about depression, as well as mental health resources and ways to get involved.
Coping With Depression – As part of the largest consumer mental health site, the Coping with Depression blog is authored mostly by Michelle Sedas and Jennifer Smith. They work together to provide insight and advice both for those experiencing depression and those who love someone who has it.
Chipur – Bill White is the founder and producer of Chipur. It’s a site he created as a mental health professional who personally deals with mood and anxiety disorders. He’s also been sober since 1984, an experience he occasionally blogs about alongside pieces about bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
Everything Matters: Beyond Meds – Monica Cassani is a mental health professional and former patient. She uses her personal experiences on Everything Matters: Beyond Meds as a resource for those looking for alternative mental health treatments. She shares natural self-care methods and explores wider issues in the sociopolitical and spiritual realms relating to mental health and human rights issues.
Depression on my Mind – Christine Stapleton is an award-winning journalist who contributes weekly posts about depression, addiction, recovery, and sex. She tackles tough subjects, like the relationship between people with substance use disorders and doctors. She isn’t afraid to get raw and honest about her own struggles.
Wing of Madness Depression Guide – Deborah is a working mother from a long family line of journalists and editors who taught her how to take reporting seriously. She’s used that background since 1995 to manage what’s now one of the longest-running depression blogs. Her goal is to help people identify depression and seek treatment. She also regularly reports on the latest science and treatment options surrounding mental health.
Blurt – The creators of Blurt know how devastating and isolating depression can be, and they want to talk about it. They want to help others get support and feel less alone, and they want to share advice for anyone who might currently be struggling.
Mind Elate – Shahenaj Khan describes herself as a “25-year-old London born, cat loving, and soul- searching introvert.” She’s passionate about, and fascinated by, the subjects of psychology and mental health. She often shares information about various disorders on Mind Elate with the hope of spreading awareness and insight into methods that might help if you’re living with depression.
Radical Transformation Project – Faith has been dealing with depression and anxiety her entire life. One day, she found herself searching for a blog or community that she might connect with, but nothing felt honest to her. So, she wanted to create something that was. Radical Transformation Project isn’t a blog about “curing” depression. It’s one about living through the inevitable ups and downs of being right there in the trenches.
Isablog – Isablog was started by a father who suffered from postpartum depression. It is a fascinating read that draws on his own experiences and medical research to conclude that, whatever name you wish to apply to it, the fact is that many men experience depression after the birth of a child.
Depression Army – Depression Army is a growing and dynamic international movement that’s calling for change in how society deals with depression.
Mind – This site provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
The Guardian – The area of The Guardian’s website devoted to depression isn’t just a blog, but a collection of news, opinion pieces, and features. Its vast catalog of content covers everything from the latest happenings in the scientific world to high-profile celebrities and their struggles with depression. These are intertwined with personal stories of depression, making the site one of the most comprehensive on the web.
Veronica Valli / Soberful – Veronica is 20+ years sober and is now a therapist herself. She blogs about her experiences and recovery and also runs a Facebook group and has a podcast about recovery, depression, and reclaiming your life.
Tests to Gauge if You’re Depressed
Books & Workbooks About Depression
- Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers
- Love is Letting Go of Fear by Gerald G. Jampolsky, MD
- Beyond Freedom and Dignity by B.F. Skinner
- How to Be Your Own Best Friend by Mildred Newman and Bernard Berkowitz
- Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh
- Super Joy by Paul Pearsall
- Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom by Rick Hanson
- Descartes’ Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain by Antonio Damasio
- Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman
- Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships by Daniel Goleman
- It Wasn’t Your Fault: Freeing Yourself from the Shame of Childhood Abuse with the Power of Self-Compassion by Beverly Engel, LMFT
- The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz and Janet Mills
- The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure by James Redfield
- When Perfect Isn’t Good Enough: Strategies for Coping with Perfectionism by Martin M. Antony, Ph.D. & Richard P. Swinson, Ph.D.
- You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
- Do One Thing Different: Ten Simple Ways to Change Your Life by Bill O’Hanlon
- Authentic Happiness, Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D.
- A Legacy of the Heart: The Spiritual Advantages of a Painful Childhood by Wayne Muller
- Nurturing Resilience: Helping Clients Move Forward from Developmental Trauma–An Integrative Somatic Approach by Kathy L. Kain and Stephen J. Terrell
- The Couch of Willingness: An Alcoholic Therapist Battles the Bottle and a Broken Recovery System by Michael Pond and Maureen Palmer
- Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life by Susan David
- I Don’t Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression by Terrence Real
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
- The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times by Pema Chodron
- Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living by Pema Chodron
- You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
- The Gift of Fear : Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence by Gavin de Becker
- The Five Things We Cannot Change: And the Happiness We Find by Embracing Them by David Richo
- Living Like You Mean It: Use the Wisdom and Power of Your Emotions to Get the Life You Really Want by Dr. Frederick
- You mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!: A Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo
- The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine Aron
- Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed