Launch of online support for people battling depression

SOMETIMES it is easier to type than to talk.

That’s why Aware is now highlighting its new online support group service.

Aware is hoping the new confidential and anonymous service will help overcome some of the barriers to people seeking help, especially among the young and men.

The online support group service started yesterday — the start of Aware’s Depression Awareness Week (DAWN) 2011.

It offers a safe, supportive environment where people with depression, or their relatives, can talk through their particular concerns and explore the options available to them.

Online discussion forums were also launched last July, offering people an opportunity to share concerns.

Chairman Declan Carton said Aware had been the start of a journey to recovery for tens of thousands of people since it was established 25 years ago.

Mr Carton said he was able to help his wife, Bairbre, who suffered bipolar depression since she was 35, because of the literature available from Aware.

Sadly, his wife, who suffered from other serious health problems, died in 2003 at the age of 61.

Mr Carton joined the voluntary organisation because he “wanted to give something back” for all the help he received.

He said Aware’s support groups online would play a crucial role in supporting people who may not feel comfortable taking that first step in seeking help.

Chief executive of Aware, Kevin Smyth, said their new website www.aware.ie was more user-friendly and contained more information.

Aware has also improved its presence on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.

“We in Aware need to make sure that our service is designed to match the communication forum that people are using now,” he said.

“We must keep striving until we convince people that getting help should not be the last resort but the first choice and not the most difficult thing to do.”