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THE PAST MONTH or so has seen the effects of depression and suicide hit the news, with several reports of celebrity death and depression as well as many cases of ‘anyone’s son’.
Depression affects one in four of us; suicide kills twice as many people as car accidents, but that does not take into account that some car fatalities may also be suicide. Drowning is also not included, so the number may be higher again. In all, more than 500 people were confirmed dead through suicide last year in Ireland.
Suicide is one of the most devastating deaths that can affect a family, yet often the stigma is such that people do not talk about their loss, creating an unbearable spiral of pain and suffering, much worse if possible than the actual loss of the loved one.
One of those news reports was the basis for a late night Twitter conversation at the end of November between @alanceltic (Alan Lavender), and me, @talentcoop (Norah Bohan).
Alan and I have experience of depression and voiced a desire to see an environment where it is treated as any other illness, spoken about openly, without negative judgment or shame but with kindness, care to help the many sufferers and perhaps prevent someone from acting on the suicidal voice inhabiting their head which negates all rational thought of life.
What made this conversation different was that we decided – rather than just talking about it – to do something to change the attitude and stigma, using social media as the basis for promoting the message. With Christmas approaching, a time many feel extra vulnerable, we had our deadline.
So started what has been the busiest but most rewarding month I can recall – running a project with no budget, everything by donation and with undoubtedly the most satisfying results.
Within a day, we sent a tweet asking for help. The response was superb, from sufferers, families, media, PR, social media, mental health professionals, mental health organisations, university research projects and more. Over 200,000 people saw the initial tweet.
A week later a week a plan was in place, a video scripted. Four days later we filmed, with full crew, equipment and food! ‘It starts with you’ looks at how we react to depression and suggests changes to our attitude and behaviour. The day after filming our video, we recorded a cover of Springsteen’s If I Should Fall Behind, Wait For Me – its loving words a guide to how we should treat ourselves and others when depression strikes. The track runs like a ribbon through the video.
The next week spent editing video and song, had us ready for our Twitter and YouTube launch on December 20, delivered just 30 minutes late!
The launch was timed to send a strong message at Christmas. Recognising that many feel this is a very vulnerable time, we also set up a volunteer ‘tweet’ support to run 24/7 over the nine-day Christmas 2011 holiday, aimed at those who might need some support.
We based the service on the first advice always given – ‘talk to someone who will listen’ – but for many, family and friends are not that person. So with advice from experts and volunteers from twitter, we set up a manned tweet account.
As advised by the professionals we described it exactly as what it was – a caring tweetfriend to contact if someone felt desperate to talk, backed with professional contact points to refer people to if required.
Not a counselling service, nor a medical service; simply a caring listening service but with most of our volunteers having counselling or similar skills from careers including teaching, HR, Journalism etc, and some with expertise from experience of depression. We feel we provided a group better equipped than the ‘family or friend’ depression sufferers are always advised to speak to.
Was there a need for such a service? It seems so. We had up to 20 ‘tweetcalls’ daily, with people contacting us from countries including England, Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Spain, the USA, South Africa, India and Australia. In fact there was so much activity that we surpassed Twitter’s daily message limits almost every day and had to set up a backup account.
Was there a caller profile? Yes - all were people at the end of their line and needing support. No – in terms of sex, age, social group or anything else. Some called for direct support for themselves, others for help with a family member or friend. Conversations lasted anything from 30 minutes to three hours.
If anything callers confirmed that the one in four can be any of us – young, old, male, female, single, married, rich, poor, successful and not. The range of issues has been incredibly diverse from feelings of loneliness, through relationship issues, money problems, to the total despair of suicidal thoughts.
In many cases just being allowed to talk, to be listened to with kindness and care has been enough to give someone an essential uplift. For others issues have been beyond the role we set out to fulfil and we’ve provided the confidence of local contact numbers for professional help. In some cases we’ve recommended emergency contact with a GP or hospital.
Did we make a difference? I’d say yes – a particular end of call comment ‘Thank you, tonight you’ve saved my life’ tells its story and was the best reward. It was perhaps matched only by the happy outcome of a five-hour emergency started late one night when a desperate person contacted us for help in contacting a friend, believed to have taken their own life, due to messages left on a profile page.
Our response was immediate and involved volunteers coordinating a search over two countries involving police, hospitals, online sources and a massive social media campaign, to try to contact the missing man. It was a very worrying five hours with a huge sigh of relief from all – when a nurse, seeing a tweet, recognised a patient and contact was made to confirm he was well.
The online support service closed at midnight on January 2, with many comments of support and requests to continue from users, volunteers and others. This will be reviewed along with the next stages of our plan which involves continuing to have our Facebook page provide safe space for those who want to use it, a website for information on the project and to house our resource bank of support materials, an educational programme which we’ll continue to roll out and hopefully a volunteer based advocate programme to provide real support to those with depression. We also want to strengthen links with organisations such as the Samaritans, Pieta House and others who have been mutually supportive to us.
I could not write without expressing deepest thanks for the support the project has received from volunteers from the twitter community who have given so much and proved themselves the best. We have proved that ordinary people working together for a good aim, can almost achieve miracles!
My BIG message though is to everyone reading this, to please view our video and share it with family, friends, colleagues. You can be part of changing attitudes to depression and suicide because you never know who the one in four might be. Someday, maybe even you.
Norah Bohan (@Talentcoop) was a founder of the @121depression #depressionhurts social media project .
The project also has a Facebook page, which has become a place of safe exchange and community where a number of high profile individuals together with some who aren’t have posted their own stories, with great honesty and courage.
Their video, It Starts With You, is here:
This is a horrible horrible condition great to see this issue being highlighted, it is a silent killer and needs to be addressed I feel for any person who has been affected by this and hopefully there is now light at the end of the tunnel
Great to see depression being dealt with in ireland without pouring drugs down people’s throats. I never got useful help from any doctors, just lucky to have a certain understanding and patient friend and husband
Emsy, some people need those drugs. It depends on an individual’s experience and type of depression. A small number of people simply have no other option to feel better.
Don’t get me wrong, I know that some people need them, I just don’t think it should be the first thing offered. It’s good to try other options first. Drugs should be carefully handed out and not thrown at anyone complaining of the blues if you get me?! In no way am I belittling depression as I dealt with it for many many years and still deal with it (less frequently) now. Months of blackness is no fun for anyone and a great way to loose friends!!
Doctors are far better at recognising how severe an individual’s case is nowadays. Sometimes, and especially if the individual is displaying suicidal tendancies, they need immediate help which only a drug can provide. There is an attitude still that “its all in the head”, that positive mental attitude can conquer all. It cant unfortunately – at least not chemical depression that induces other physical illnesses. That most definitely does need medicating, at least temporarily.
Thank you. As a sufferer of depression for many years, Christmas has been a most terrible time as the contrast between everyone’s happiness and what I was feeling was most stark. When I have been hospitalised the contrast is equally stark. In the general hospital I receive many visitors, in the mental hospital only very close family and very close friends – often the hospitalisation can have resulted from the same event. For me, telling family and friends how I was feeling was difficult because I knew I was hurting them. It was easier for me to tell a professional or a stranger. I am delighted to see what you have been able to achieve with an idea and volunteers from the community.
Best of luck to you Denise. :) xx
Speaking as one who is currently living a life, rather than barely tolerating an existence, due to anti-depressants, I want to congratulate everyone involved in this. It doesnt’ matter if the help is psychological, or chemical. It’s the actual getting help that’s the main thing.
I was told don’t ever see admitting that you suffer from depression as a defeat. Look at it as a little victory, that you’re prepared to get and accept help… and take the first steps to recovery.
This
Well said.
Great to see this. As someone who has had depression affect their family life, this is a great idea. My mother suffered depression long before i was even born. Most of my memories growing up was watching my mother crying and suffering. I lost count of the amount of times we visited her in st.vincents. The only solution from the doctors were drugs,drugs and more drugs. Medication in the past for mental illnesses was crude. 10years ago she was diagnosed bi-polar,about 30 after the suffering started. Unfortunately she is now suffering from early on set alzeihmers. It is my opinion that the years of those heavy drugs did that. I also am on treatment myself and never have and never will be ashamed of my mental illness. p.s. sorry for the long post.
It is my belief that depression is at the root of most cases of alcoholism. And what treatment is there for alcoholism? Talking. Support from your peers. Taking steps to clean up your past wreckage and learning to walk in ‘the sunlight” so to speak. Throw some meditation in there as well.
So taking a page from that book and applying it to depression? Might work.
Many alcoholics are self-medicating depressives. Strange, since the immediate effects of alcohol are uplifting and pleasant. But in a few hours, the depressive side of the equation becomes obvious. How many more mornings can I take?, we ask ourselves. Ahah. Medicating yourself with a depressant isn’t the wisest strategy. But most who do so are unaware of the pharmacological effects of the drug.
Good on you for speaking out. Keep it up.
I kinda disagree. Depression is a medical condition. Not a bad mood. Depression comes before alcoholism. Clinical depression is not caused by alcoholism. Altough it can lead to heavy alcohol consumption. Clinical depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. And very often people need medication to help correct this imbalance.
Hi Seamus Mc Dermot.
10 out of 10 for your post.
Before I make observations re your comments please let me say the following:
On the news this morning there was mention of the government considering a price increase of alcohol to curb the ever increasing abuse of same amongst teenagers, adult addicts etc.
Let me delineate the effects of alcohol:
1 Increase in traffic related deaths
2 Increase in suicides related to depression
3 Increase in violence within families and friendship circles
4 A high risk of permanent addiction
5 Severe unsocial behaviour
My comment:
1 Why has the Journal not picked up on this breaking news?
2 What on earth does this imbecile government assume they will acheive in imposing a price increase on alcohol?
3 This government has bent over backwards to ensure that the public get the message that smoking seriously impacts on your health. They went to the extent of concealing cigarette vending machines in shops. ( by law )
But…Alcohol advertisements are still everyday routine on the radio and TV.
Seamus…I thank you for bringing this post to our attention.
Please don’t just read this post without it influencing your perception of…THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECT OF ALCOHOL !
P.S.
I invite the editor of this website to explain as to why this headline was not published!
Padraic, I think yourself and Seamus actually share the same point of view i.e. that depression can lead to alcoholism.
Padraic Keogh…
I whole heartedly agree that depression can be totally unrelated to alcohol abuse and don’t wish to dispute this fact.
But alcohol abuse is as medically confirmed a fore-runner of depression and related suicides.
Yea. But we differ in that I feel medication is often needed to get most clinically depressed people to a point where they can actually talk to someone openly about their difficulties. Depression can be so debilitating that people physically cannot get out of bed. Having lived with someone who lost their battle with depression I disagree with those who think that counselling is preferable to medication.
Alcoholism is an underlying problem with depression, alcohol is used as a means of escape, same with drug abuse
There is little to no mention of depression, suicide and/or self harm in school. I really think we (teens) need to be taught to look out for one another and how to help a friend. I am in 3rd Year. We have SPHE once a week. Not once have we discussed anything relating to self harm (which I’ve learned is a huge issue with my age group) etc. I feel if we’re told where we can find help, how to support a friend etc it would help a lot – now and when we grow up.
Jack your comment is so encouraging – we set up #depressionhurts to change attitudes and remove stigma.
Our next step is an education programme coming to schools, colleges, Uni, business, social groups.
Thanks for confirming this is a valid step
Norah Bohan @talentcoop
Hats off to Norah & Co. for coming up with such an innovative, simple, effective idea using social media. It’s inspired. Depression is a non-physical cancer and is often grievously misconstrued as a form of ‘weakness’, carrying with it all the associated hush-hush variants of shame. Just having someone to chat to, even in 140 characters on Twitter, can be a huge help. A lot of people in Ireland are suffering right now, please do all you can to help anyone who is feeling down.
Great to see! Good thinking!
Self esteem on the drip. Kids growing up going to school from a young age are getting self esteem a drip a day and when it is time for homework it is the parent or parents that give them that drip of self esteem. Once a parent checks the homework just to look at it not to correct it as most parents don’t know the answers it enables the child to get the confidante to ask the teacher the next day for the correct answers which again adds another drip of self esteem. If the child does not get the homework looked at then that child needs to get their self esteem from somewhere else which in some cases it means that they become the class clown, class bully, smokes, drinks, takes drugs and many other think which for a very short period boosts them up. This behaviour actually drains any self esteem they have and destroyes their chances in life. School and parents just looking at the exercise means they get a chance of building self esteem over a period of years which gives a child a chance of finishing school and a chance of doing ok in life. They don’t need to all get honours just A decent chance to develope as a person. Just a thought!
Frank that’s one hell of a point you got there. With kids being diagnosed bipolar as young as three years (in the US only I believe), a drip is better than self esteem starvation. Better still an education system that would turn that drip into a stream, but don’t get me started…I think were coming from the same place here. Thanks for making the point.
@Alan, at what age would you diagnose biploar, is it not conceivably possible a 3 year old could be bipolar?. Your comment leads to thinking that people should be ashamed of depression.
One of the biggest issues in Ireland is lack of tolerance in the workplace. People are terrified of being open for fear of being labelled or losing their job. If we can get to that, and stamp it out, we will really make a lot of headway in bringing the issue into the open.
If a colleague falls and breaks their arm or leg etc , no one has a problem asking how they are BUT mention depression and no one wants to know . As you say if we can get to that it will make a big difference in people’s recovery.
Have we had a breakdown of exactly why individuals become severely depressed and ultimately committ suicide?
I think that this consideration plays a huge roll in combating, diagnosing and possibly curing this sad condition.
Suicide is a long term solution to a short term problem. Everything passes…. imagine yourself at 60, you won’t care then nor will anybody else.
Sadly, not all cases of Depression “just pass”.
Patrick Devereau
You are sadly mistaken … Depression does not pass ! Bring it out into the open , discuss it , support each other . It is the elephant in the room.
An amazing achievement Norah and all involved in the making of this video & the compassionate listening you did over the festive season. May you continue this much needed service. My heartfelt gratitude to you all xox.
To Norah Bohan , this is a great article , but I’m not happy that in order to repost it on Facebook that I have to give the journal so much access to my personal details ,it’s unreasonable . There should be no restrictions on articles such as this , it needs to be out there more and more .
I am not looking for thumbs up/down as this is useless info to others.
Please make an effort and submit a sensible and an intelligent comment regarding the question as to what are the causes of depression.
I reckon there are as many causes as there are people …. Every one differs and there are different types of depression too. I think that bringing it out into the open and speaking about the effects of depression that the causes can be investigated.
That’ll be a tough one to put the finger on I reckon, because there are many contributing factors, everything from the weather to drug abuse to changing personal circumstances.
I would say a significant factor in Ireland is our culture of having to have the craic all of the time, and the associated alcohol abuse. Other cultures don’t have that, they talk to each other about their problems. Here we don’t want to be seen as a bore or to bring other people down, so we just have another drink, and descend further down the spiral.
Random
It will be a tough one to pin point alright. Having said that not all people who suffer from depression drink alcohol !
@Eileen I wasn’t at all trying to suggest that alcohol is the only cause of depression. In fact, I think the more important part of my point was that our culture encourages us to project an image of living large and having fun at all times, leaving no scope for serious conversation even when it is urgently needed. I think this is the case even for people who don’t drink, and they also have to contend with the fact that their peers are often stumbling around and whooping like baboons when they are attempting to socialise with them. I know when I was encouraged to quit drinking while on prozac I nearly died of boredom.
But, that’s just my perception. It is a complex condition with complex causes, and I think any attempt to reduce it to a single causal factor is misguided and futile.
Random .
You make a very valid point . I sometimes notice that even on the journal and different issues are being discussed I often come across a ‘random’ comment that is put in by the commentator as a joke ,or something to lift the mood …. I remark it to myself as I find it annoying some times in the middle of a good debate you get a silly comment . It is as if the topic is too heavy for the individual…..
This is why I said that there are as many causes to depression than there are people …
well done for action which was clearly effective. trouble can be when you are depressed and turn to those from whom you need an ear and they run. It takes a lot of courage to look out for yourself when you are low and are not able. There but for the grace of God often comes to mind.
Reply to Manfred
There are many causes and cases of depression, it’s under reported but an acceptance exists that it affects 1 in 4. In Ireland that’s some 1Million people.
Depression is under reported for many reasons, people just muddling through and trying to cope when they really don’t know what’s wrong, post natal depression, chemotherapy induced, inherited, bi polar, one off episodes and many more variations.
Due to the stigma surrounding depression, some people often ‘keep it to themselves’, explain it away as something else and so on. There’s huge pretence around depression. We need to encourage openness and that’s the purpose of the video ‘It starts with you’ to create a dialogue, to help understanding, to start change.
We all need to react differently to depression, we never know who the one in four is, it might one day be any of us.
Paul Duggan @paulduggan_ on twitter, speaks movingly of what he calls the Silent Minority in his blog http://itonlyencouragesthem.wordpress.com/2011/11/22/the-silent-minority/
With accepted statistics of 1 in 4, I’d suggest it’s a very important minority, 25% of the population and the effects of emotional illness has a huge impact on families and society alike.
have your say