Top Resources For The Depressed

Each year, tens of thousands of people across the globe take their own lives, while millions more suffer their depression in silence and never seek the help they need in order to return to a life of joy.

The good news is, there's help available for free, right now, from the comfort of your very own home. You don't even have to change out of your pajamas. So don't become a statistic - turn to one of the great resources below to connect with professional volunteers, therapists, fellow sufferers, or simply a listening ear or shoulder to lean on.

SuicideHotlines.com provides an extensive listing of suicide help and prevention hotlines you can call at any time of day or night. Some are listed by locality, while others are 1-800 numbers and serve the public from anywhere across the United States. You will also find a section explaining what to expect from a call to a suicide hotline, along with a section offering words of hope from a survivor.

Depression-chat-rooms.org provides users the ability to remain anonymous while chatting with others suffering from depression or thoughts of suicide. While it is not permitted to make direct mention of suicide, the chat can be very helpful and does allow for one-on-one discussion. The chat is also moderated and clean, and participants often go out of their way to help those in need.

Blahtherapy.com is a unique concept. Users need not sign up, but can visit the website and immediately vent their problems to a volunteer listener. They can also listen to others vent or talk about their depression or everyday problems, which can help them gain new perspective on their own lives. Due caution is advised, as these chats are not moderated. They do, however, offer an option to report abuse or inappropriate questions and answers.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-index.shtml outlines the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for depression. You can also locate help for your depression and learn how to cope with your feelings until you seek out a medical professional. Aimed at educating the sufferer, this website is the definitive resource for understanding the disease and how it affects your overall state of being.

1-800-my-depression.com is a great resource for finding out everything you need to know about depression, learning how to identify symptoms, and locating a qualified psychiatrist in your area. A toll-free number is also provided.

Survivinganaffair.wordpress.com. If your depression stems from betrayal, this blog is your road to greater insight, and the understanding that you are not alone in how you feel. Run by a woman whose husband cheated on her several years ago, and chock-full of information about her tough emotional journey from barely breathing to fully living again, this blog offers new hope to those who've lived through heartbreak and don't know how to move on. Highly recommended!

If you're looking for a therapist, but would prefer to remain reasonably anonymous, LivePerson.com could be for you. This website allows you to connect with mental health professionals in a safe, online-only environment. There is a charge, but it is always up to you to decide whether or not to hire someone. Discover whether or not you connect with a particular therapist with a free initial chat period. Visit http://www.liveperson.com/lp/onlinecounseling/online-counselors/?kbid=5163 for more information.

Depressiontribe.com is another invaluable resource for those suffering from depression. Aside from general information regarding depression, this website also offers access to therapists' blogs, games, polls, groups, and forums where you can participate upon signup.

Don't ignore your most valuable resource of all in the fight against depression - sisters, brothers, parents, uncles, aunts, and grandparents. Your family often isn't aware that something is wrong unless you tell them, so take the time to confide in someone and allow them the chance to help you. Depression may make you feel alone, but that does not mean that you are alone - you've merely lost sight of the silver lining.

Remember: Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Don't give up.