Psychology

» redback - beyond awareness

I had earlier completed a (better) response but the gremlins ate it. I like this article including the needed reminder that those who care, also need to care for themselves. The article gives the "carer" or passively concerned family member, proper context.

"Accept them just as they are. For some, that's all they need."

This is not a topic within 'Health' or 'Wellness' Communities so maybe it aims for a different, wholistic approach?
A person with depression is greater than the sum of their depression. So, IMO, that's who we accept "as they are"...the whole person.

We don't seem to tackle preventative measures very well and have an idea 'early intervention' is only about what the doctor does after the event. Depending on one's attitudes and skills, this "accept as they are" may involve action.

Beyond 'awareness'? I'd like to think we can lift awareness to increase our mental health literacy about depression and how it differs from the sad mood we all can suffer from. We can be more "pro-active" in a non-interfering way, if that makes sense.

I think family as a microcosm of society, aims to involve family members in our lives and us in theirs despite their depression, not because of it. This group 'accountability' does not replace an individual's, but complEments it. The missing complIment?

So, I guess the last sentence in the article...the summary, also needs context. I believe there are times when our actions and statements don't help. That's a diluted way of saying they can be downright unhelpful to a person's recovery from depression. Can we "make" them depressed or happy? Not in one sense of the word but this is not a blame game.

-- posted by redback