Gauging interest in local class to deal with depression

Feeling down? No interest in anything? Depression? Lack of enthusiasm? Anxious or irritable? Experiencing pain? Low self-esteem? Thoughts of suicide? Dealing with grief?

If you have experienced any of these characteristics, you are not alone. In fact, 350 million people a year struggle with some form of depression. How one handles the above characteristics will depend on several factors, and those are not limited to but include how your mental state was prior to any incident that may have triggered the low feelings, how you deal with changes, your coping skills and most importantly your desire to recognize the need for change and the strength to seek help or support if need be.

At one time, there was a support group in the area, headed by a local lady, as she felt the need for no one to be alone through their struggles. There appears to be a need for a support network to again be active.

Personally, I am no stranger to tragedy, grief, loss of loved ones and family members. Anyone who knows me will attest to this statement. Yet, I have been approached by several individuals who have asked me how I manage to handle death and grieving and still not find myself depressed. I have shared with them some insight to the question, and recently I have been asked by people to start a group that will allow others insight and coping skills, as well as being a network of support and someone to call when they are feeling life is getting heavy.

After much thought and calendar searching, a plan is being put into place. We are seeking input from you – those who need to feel they are NOT ALONE in their walk and that someone is there for them. We contemplated meetings, however that is not entirely the answer to some people’s struggles. From the thought bank emerged an idea – that being, alternate a support group of sharing with a group of growing.

As this goes to print, the plan is to have a meet and eat and share night once a month and the following month would be a gathering to allow growth ~ in ways such as: one person has stated their interest in teaching art lessons, there could be guest speakers, some might want to learn a new craft or share one they have with others. The options are unlimited.

And you are asking… WHO is this intended for? As I was approached, it was by other widows, however, we are not the only ones who need to seek involvement and reaching out to get outside the box we are sometimes confined to. So, the group will be open to anyone who feels they may benefit from seeing others who share something in common and for those who feel the need to know someone is walking the same path with the same dark shadows that they are.

At this point, we are seeking input from you, the reader, as to your thoughts. Take a few moments and fill out the form below and mail it to PO Box 1296 in Malta, MT 59538 to help us gather thoughts and input to analyze what needs are out there. My phone number is 654-1878 and I welcome calls with questions and offers for ideas or offers to lead an evening. I am in and out, so leave a message and I will return your call, leave your name and number. Tentatively, the group will meet on Monday or Tuesday evenings once a month. I look forward to hearing from you. Perhaps YOU might be the one who will help someone else.

If there is any interest, we could meet in March to begin to help ourselves and others. You can fill out the form below and mail it as well, to PO Box 1296 in Malta, 59538.