Questions before giving up & depression resources (Masterpost)

I love this picture and think it is very helpful and might be helpful to others. Dont ever make a spontaneous decision when feeling down or low. Suicide should not be an option, no matter how much you are struggling... tell yourself "one more week" and keep repeating that until you no longer need that reminder because you want to live the rest of your life. But also ASK FOR HELP. If you are having suicidal thoughts, ask for help or just go hug someone. Go and cry and tlak to someone, or even if you just sit in silence... it can help. But you should never feel like you are alone or that you are suffering in silence. There is always someone, if not there are always hotlines you can call or sites which you can go onto which can help you when you are struggling. There are always other options even if it doesnt feel like it. Even if you have to repeat "One more hour" and keep repeating that, but do talk to someone if you are feeling that low or awful. You can get through this!!

Also, dont self harm. I know it can be helpful, i know it takes away the mental pain but it is also an addiction and the addiction will get worse. Over time the self harm increases and gets worse as the pain doesnt go away so quickly. Find healthier ways to cope instead, such as draw on your skin instead, or rip paper into pieces or hold ice cubes. Or try listening to really loud music, or if you enjoy running (and ont have an exercise addiction) then going out to run really fast with music can be helpful when you are overwhelmed with emotions - however be careful that you dont do anything stupid while being out on your own. Also send a message to someone, ask them to call you or just a way to start a conversation.
 Try drawing or doing something with your hands and something to distract yourself. You dont need to hurt yourself, it wont solve the problem. It takes away the mental pain for a little while, but eventually it will still be there and you will just be left with scars and scabs which take a long time to heal and you might regret. But also you shouldnt be harming your body, your body is just trying to keep you alive while you mind is trying to tear you apart. Below are some alternatives to self harm which you can try.

Stay strong all of you!! You can get through your struggles, take one day at a time.

Depression Resources:

Healthy Ways to Cope with Depression:

• Teen Depression: A Guide for Teenagers
• How to Deal with Teenage Depression
• Coping Skills May Reduce Teen Depression
• Tips for Coping With Depression
• Depression (Coping)
• 10 Ways to Cope With Depression

Types of depression

• Depression Symptoms and Warning Signs: How to Recognize Depression Symptoms and Get Effective Help
• Depression in Older Adults: Recognize the Signs and Find Treatment that Works
• Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression: Learn the Signs and How You Can Help Your Teen
• Teenager’s Guide to Depression: Learn Tips and Tools for Helping Yourself or a Friend
• Depression in Men: Why It’s Hard to Recognize and What Helps
• Depression in Women: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Self-Help
• Postpartum Depression: Symptoms, Treatment, and Support for New Mothers

Depression and Dysthymia

• Help Guide A site containing articles to help understand, help numbers,  “tool kits”, and self help.
• Mental Support Community A forum to talk about regular unipolar forms of depression and how it affects your life.
• Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• FacingUs Clubhouse Wellness Tracker, Wellness Book, Crisis Planning, Etc.
• Mood Gym is an interactive website that allows you to learn cognitive behaviour therapy skills for preventing and coping with depression.
• What is dysthymia? This is an submission from a follower explaining dysthymia.
• What is the difference between dysthymia and major depression?
• The black dog institute has some great resources for depression and bipolar disorder.
• This is a link to a great workbook you can do to teach you about coping with depression.
• This post explains the marble theory of depression.
• This is a post that explains the symptoms and treatment of depression.
• This post lists some negative thinking styles that add to depression.

Depression Links:

• Coping with Suicidal Thought
• 10 Tips on How to Work Through Feelings of Social Isolation
• 8 Tips to Overcome Loneliness
• Tips On Dealing With Depression In College
• Antidepressants: Selecting one that’s right for you
• What to expect with antidepressants

Dealing with bipolar disorder/ manic depression

• Helping your loved one through a manic episode
• Helping a loved one with bipolar disorder
• Dealing with bipolar mania: help for caregivers
• 7 ways to deal with a manic depressive person
• Dealing effectively with depression and manic depression
• Simple tricks to deal with anxiety and mania
• 5 tips for coping with mania
• Coping skills for bipolar disorder
• 50 natural ways to manage and cope with bipolar disorder
• 10 small steps you can  take to improve bipolar disorde

*I have not checked all the links, so please comment if one isnt working or is not the right site*