8 Websites to Help You Cope With Depression

Coping with depression means having to deal with your own struggles and social stigma. The following Web sites include an online guide; tips and articles related to coping; online depression communities; and an action plan for recovery. Other sites will keep you in touch with efforts to refute the stereotypes associated with depression.

Site	Who It's For	Why We Like It
Suite101.com	Proactive people with depression	"Coping" is the fifth "lesson" in an eight-part guide to depression. In this section, you will learn about taking one day at a time, dealing with the stigma of depression, the importance of support groups, and the power of cognitive therapy and spirituality in the healing process. Set aside time for this lengthy, but valuable read.
About.com	Anyone struggling to cope with their depression	This site offers 20 self-help articles about coping with various aspects of depression. Learn how to let go of the past, make positive changes in your life and deal with insomnia. Practice breathing exercises and read about the power of forgiveness.
HelpHorizons.com	Anyone suffering from depression	This list of articles addresses important steps you can take in the coping process. Build self-esteem, and don't always look to others for help. Develop a "Wellness Toolbox," which includes positive things you can do for yourself, including writing a list of your accomplishments and looking at old photographs.
HealingWell.com	Anyone looking for support online while coping with depression	You can find chat rooms, message boards and online communities focused on coping with depression. Start here if you want to connect online with other people with depression.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration	Anyone with a mental illness, such as depression	One of the frustrating parts of recovery is realizing you don't always have the time to do the things you need to stay well. This guide from the National Mental Health Information Center tells you how to design an individual action plan that will help you cope with your disease, while living your life.
National Empowerment Center	People who have been labeled "mentally ill"	The center offers an array of multimedia resources to help you adjust to living with a mental illness like depression. Books and DVDs, events focused on creating a supportive environment for yourself, and audio programs that can teach you to better function in society are available here.
National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse	People with depression and their caregivers	The clearinghouse helps connect users to self-help and advocacy resources and offers expertise on peer-run groups that serve people who have been diagnosed with mental illnesses. The site's list of resources is constantly being updated. The Clearinghouse Blog includes news, coping tips and information on recovery events.
National Stigma Clearinghouse	Anyone interested in mental health	This site, while not visually alluring, provides commentary on the media's coverage of mental health. Recent posts have included critiques of a newspaper editorial on a law restricting firearm sales to people with a history of dangerous mental illness and of the portrayal of mentall illness in an advertising campaign.