Wow, I cannot truly believe that DWD has been going for 4 years today! This is amazing. I don't think that when we started it that we would today still be going, let alone have over 80000 posts by 3000 or so members! On the one hand these figures are amazing and really do make me "wow!" But the sad reality are that these are people who haven't been able to get the help, support and advice from any other source and so have found us. I am so pleased that we have been able to support these 3000 or so and hope that we can support many many more over the coming years. Hopefully with us working with some of the other groups such as Time for Change, Breaking the silence and with TV producers such as Claire from Maverick TV things will change quicker for those with mental health illness and depression.
Anyway, happy day today! DWD is 4!!!!!
I thought I would share with you some things from our members!
Many people who have worked through a dark patch in their life look back at some of their beginning posts and just can't believe how far they have come. Sometimes it's amazing to see that journey unfold and although you can see how brilliantly someone is doing it's almost impossible for them to realise until they have managed to work their way up the ladder and can look around seeing how far they have come. I have included some quotes from members about how DWD has helped them over the years but have done them anonymously for obvious reasons.
"Dealing With Depression is a wonderful place. It's somewhere I can talk about how I am feeling without having to hide or to pretend. I know that no one will judge me as everyone understands what I am going through."
"Without Dealing With Depression I don't know where I would be now. DWD has changed my whole life. I now know that I am not alone."
"It's really great to know that there is always someone there who can listen."
Comments like this are amazing to hear. The mods and admin team work really hard to make sure that no one is alone, or feels alone and all believe passionately about being there and talking to people, helping them climb that ladder. We all are there no matter what is going on in our own lives, and we have all been there either as someone who is experiencing mental health illness or as a carer of someone who has.
One of our members has taken up watercolour painting. This is a huge step for this member who has allowed me to post some of their paintings here, which I am sure you will agree are amazing. The final picture here is of a special place to them, a local Church which they find so peaceful. It is amazing to see how far this member has come, especially when you know that they had a breakdown not that long ago. V - you are a true inspiration.
Happy birthday DWD. Let the party start! :)
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