As a counsellor, one thing I have learned is that I have seen many different people, but only a very small percentage journey long enough to make some changes in their life.  A lot of those who don't, just don't have any support at all.  Making the decision to seek professional help is a very difficult thing to do and I always encourage everyone to find someone to talk to.

For myself when I went through my depression the first thing I noticed was that I was all alone, I thought I had lots of friends and then suddenly there was no one.  Forums like this one can offer people the support and encouragement they need to take the step to get some professional help.  Once that step is made the  counsellor is only there once a week/fortnight etc.  To be able to grow we all need to let go, but unfortunetly that is learned.  I have had many person tell me, but I don't know how - I didn't know how, when it came to other people I could handle whatever life had dealt them, but for me my saving grace was a chat room.  I do not go there anymore, but for 3 years I went in everyday, sometimes 2 or 3 times, I was always there - those people, even though I had never met them were my greatest support and helped me through the toughest part of my life.

Whatever it takes, is what I say.  Find someone you can talk to - that is often the first step.  The next step is knowing that you have someone who will walk with you right to the end.  Even though I rarely have any contact with those people now, they are very special to me and always will be

I guess sometimes people just want to hear, I understand, I think you need, you should go, why not ask, I feel for you or even just ....hey mate ((HUGS)) to you...

One of the greatest things about minit and the members/family here is that the words 'You need to see a doctor' are normally always said along with words of support.

It is not really any different than sitting around the table having a coffee and saying, ya know what...I'm feeling......

Many people that need serious help don't like admitting it, and will look for every alternate route to get that help before going to see a professional.  It's easier to whinge and whine to friends, and strangers that they will never have to come face to face with, than to go to a professional and admit they need help.

Going to seek professional help is the ultimate signification that the person can not cope.  Some people also fear the worst and would rather not know.  My mother refused to go to a doctor for years because she knew she would be told to quit smoking and change her diet or die - and although she didn't want to die, she didn't want to hear that either.  It was easier for her to live in a blissful ignorance.  I've known people that were suffering illnesses and refused to go to a doctor because they were scared they'd receive the worst news, like they had cancer or something, even when it ended up being something trivial and easily treated.

Many people ask about depressing stuff on this site because they are looking for people to tell them what they need to hear, or want to hear, and they are looking for affirmation that they are justified in their concerns.  Some are looking for alternate routes out of their situations.  Some are just looking for attention and sympathy.  Some are looking for people to ease their fears and give them the courage to get the professional help they need.

I've got no problem with telling people over and over and over again to seek professional help if I genuinely think that is what they need.  It's not easy walking into an office and admitting something is wrong and you can't control the situation and ask for help, and it is nice to know that there are people out there in the world that are willing to back you up.  Minti is a place where that back up is available and free of charge.  It's also mostly anonymous and so people can feel safer talking about stuff.

For example, a woman who is getting beaten by her partner might be fearful of getting professional help, or of telling anyone she knows, incase no one believes her and she ends up having to suffer a worse fate if her partner finds out she's telling before she can feel safe.  On Minti she can talk about it, without fearing everyone will be phoning her partner or causing her more trouble than she already has.  We will believe what she has to say, which gives her confidence.  We will encourage her to get help, and give her advice on how to get it safely.  We will give her the moral support she needs, and thus the strength to stand up for herself and then to get her life back together after.

That is one of the reasons why Minti is here - to help those less fortunate than ourselves, and recieve help when we need it.  For those that are living on the lighter side of life, it gives them a chance to remember they are one of the lucky ones and appreciate what they have.  For those having hard times it gives them support and a good laugh if they need one.

Surviving Minti has been easy for me so far because every time I log on, I open two sections of my mind and let the contents spill out.  Those are compassion for the serious problems that can't be laughed at, and humour for everything else.

Well said

I beleive all negatives can be turned into a positive once you recognise the troubles. Sometimes outlet such as these are not designed to atrract more negativity or judgement but calling for help. Even a small contact of support or talking about how you turned your own negative into something that works for you.

People are the sunshine of our day, some of us enjoy seeing others walking alone on their feet and I think if we as human beings can offer what we can more people will feel the sun when they wake up.

It takes a village to raise a child .. right?