Patient groups
Jette Balslev, Secretariat Manager, Depressionsforeningen
You are not alone! It is nice to know that you are not alone in the world.
On the DepressionLine, every evening we talk to many people who are suffering from depression. Every day, I am full of admiration for everyone who picks up the phone and calls us. They call us to speak to someone who understands how unpleasant it is to suffer from depression.
It is not always comforting to learn that there are so many people who are going through what you are going through. But it does help to remove
- the taboo surrounding the illness
- the pain
- the feeling of guilt of not fighting it
When you are depressed, you will undoubtedly feel the taboo and the pain, and experience the feelings of guilt. And perhaps this thought will cross your mind: "The outside world expects me to function, but I CANNOT".
Contact is important
Human contact is extremely important. It is important that you can speak freely on the telephone with someone who
- does not judge
- does not "play the wise man"
- has tried it themselves
- does not give stupid advice like "you just need to take a walk and get some fresh air" or "go out and buy something nice for yourself", or whatever people come up with.
Thereare no easy solutions. But when you get the chance to talk about the pain and the helplessness, you will have a little "valve" to help you through the worst. At DepressionsForeningen, we try to be this valve via the telephone on the DepressionLine, tel. 3312 4774 ( 7pm to 9pm every evening except Saturday)
Local groups
This also means that some of the people we talk to get together in groups around the country. Some of them, those who have come so far in their treatment that the world is starting to look fairly normal again, also have sufficient energy to work for us. They are the driving force behind DepressionsForeningen's local groups.
You can just turn up to a group meeting whenever you wish and speak if you wish to. You can also choose not to say anything if you don't want to. It is a secure community. And being with others in the same boat can be liberating. It can give you some breathing space which will help through the next day.
Remember, you are not alone. You can reach DepressionsForeningen on the telephone or via the Internet if you need us:
Vendersgade 22, kld.
1363 Copenhagen K
Tel.: 3312 4727 (DepressionLine: 3312 4774)
Fax: 3312 5078
E-mail: sekretariat@depressionsforeningen.dk
Website: www.depressionsforeningen.dk