An interesting
and very important topic was raised at a women’s networking event I attended
recently about treatment options for women suffering from depression.
A handful of
women shared about being depressed or having suffered from depression. No
matter the age of the sharer the comments were similar. I could relate to the
comments made by each woman and as I looked around the room there were plenty
of nodding heads.
An even more
interesting question that was raised was whether there were any organisations
that deal specifically with women’s depression. What? That cannot be true. How
can such a gap exist? So I went looking...
By typing in
‘Depression in Women’ there is some valuable information available like the
difference between male and female depression at a US site called Help Guide or
the US
Office of Women’s Health which provides answers to questions and shares
individual’s stories.
There was
however nothing Australian-based in the first page search. So I tried again...
This time
Beyond Blue appeared in the first three spots and the website is comprehensive providing
information for all ages, nationality and yes, women. Info from The Facts pages states ‘On
average, 1 in 6 people – 1 in 5 women and 1 in 8 men – will experience
depression at some stage of their lives.’
The organisation has a contact number
for people to call day and night as well as an online chat option. In fourth
place in the search was a Black Dog Institute Fact
Sheet.
Phew! I am
relieved. There is help out there for women. Perhaps there is not an
organisation that deals only and specifically with women’s depression but there
are resources for women to access if needed.
One lady at
the above mentioned event – a physio – said the best treatment for depression
was and is exercise. Getting moving helps get everything moving. She encouraged
people to put down their mobile device and step away from their computer.
I know getting
out in the sunshine or rain – without my mobile and taking a walk always helps
to clear my head and quieten the negative chatter. Taking time for myself to
think and simply ‘be’ is good for mind, body and soul.
If you feel down, helpless, worthless and
depressed please pick up the telephone and call someone you love or check out
one of the page links above and reach out. You are valued and someone will
listen. Take care xx
