I lost a friend to depression.
Since then I’ve recognized depression in other friends. It’s been described as a deep, dark, lonely place.
I’ve read every paper I could find and hunted for helpful treatments for friends with depression. It's hard to lose a friend and hard for those who live with depression.
This is what I’ve learned:
**A hug or caring word can sometimes make a huge difference.
**https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/NAMI-Programs# is a program that may help.
**Visit your healthcare practitioner. If you benefit from a prescription, take it. The mind is part of the body. Get the help you need. You are worth it.
**L-Theanine is a natural tea extract that’s often very effective at relaxing people who are super stressed. Kal brand (online and in natural food stores) makes a 25 mg pill that dissolves in the mouth. Some take this each evening to help them sleep and also to cope with the following day. Many start with one 25 mg tablet and gradually increase to 75 mg or 100 mg taken each evening.
**St. John's Wort (herb) is available online and in health food stores. This is the #1 prescription by doctors in Europe for mild to moderate depression. It's sold online and in natural food stores.
**Zinc: Most people are deficient in Zinc. Taking 30 mg Zinc twice a day with food can make a big difference. Zinc also boosts the immune system (very useful in flu season) and helps the body make hormones.
**Taking B Vitamins can make a huge difference.
**Sunshine and Vitamin D3 (take with Vitamin K2) are helpful. Again, most people are deficient in this. Vitacost.com has a low-cost company brand that includes both in the correct ratio as melt tablets.
**Iodine helps the thyroid which helps with depression. Most people are deficient in Iodine. This also helps strengthen the immune system.
**DEPRESSION IS REAL. A suicide attempt may seem selfish. How can they do this to their friends and family? But they may truly believe that everyone will be better off without them. Or they just can't face another day. Depression may hurt so much that it's physically painful. The pain can be so deep it's hard to escape or even imagine it will ever get better.
I try to listen deeply, to hear what is not said, to be aware when a friend is in trouble. They probably won't tell us. It's our place to be aware and reach out.
My character Scree says, "What will be, will be. And then I'll fix it."
People who suffer from depression may need help immediately.
More phone numbers for help:
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255
Veterans Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255
Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
Wishing you all a safe, happy holiday season!
May your dreams come true.
Since then I’ve recognized depression in other friends. It’s been described as a deep, dark, lonely place.
I’ve read every paper I could find and hunted for helpful treatments for friends with depression. It's hard to lose a friend and hard for those who live with depression.
This is what I’ve learned:
**A hug or caring word can sometimes make a huge difference.
**https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/NAMI-Programs# is a program that may help.
**Visit your healthcare practitioner. If you benefit from a prescription, take it. The mind is part of the body. Get the help you need. You are worth it.
**L-Theanine is a natural tea extract that’s often very effective at relaxing people who are super stressed. Kal brand (online and in natural food stores) makes a 25 mg pill that dissolves in the mouth. Some take this each evening to help them sleep and also to cope with the following day. Many start with one 25 mg tablet and gradually increase to 75 mg or 100 mg taken each evening.
**St. John's Wort (herb) is available online and in health food stores. This is the #1 prescription by doctors in Europe for mild to moderate depression. It's sold online and in natural food stores.
**Zinc: Most people are deficient in Zinc. Taking 30 mg Zinc twice a day with food can make a big difference. Zinc also boosts the immune system (very useful in flu season) and helps the body make hormones.
**Taking B Vitamins can make a huge difference.
**Sunshine and Vitamin D3 (take with Vitamin K2) are helpful. Again, most people are deficient in this. Vitacost.com has a low-cost company brand that includes both in the correct ratio as melt tablets.
**Iodine helps the thyroid which helps with depression. Most people are deficient in Iodine. This also helps strengthen the immune system.
**DEPRESSION IS REAL. A suicide attempt may seem selfish. How can they do this to their friends and family? But they may truly believe that everyone will be better off without them. Or they just can't face another day. Depression may hurt so much that it's physically painful. The pain can be so deep it's hard to escape or even imagine it will ever get better.
I try to listen deeply, to hear what is not said, to be aware when a friend is in trouble. They probably won't tell us. It's our place to be aware and reach out.
My character Scree says, "What will be, will be. And then I'll fix it."
People who suffer from depression may need help immediately.
More phone numbers for help:
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255
Veterans Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255
Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
Wishing you all a safe, happy holiday season!
May your dreams come true.
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