My wife struggles with depression and, occasionally, suicidal ideation. But she doesn't communicate well (or nearly at all), so I have no real way of knowing when she's having a crisis rather than just another string of bad days / weeks. Is it ethical to monitor her internet activity without her knowledge so I have some idea of when I need to get serious about intervening? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 29, 2009 - 40 answers

I can't do therapy. There must be other people who can't do therapy. What do these people do, when they get together, to fix their problems? What DIY, collaborative options are on the table, and how do I find them? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 11, 2009 - 31 answers

After many years of chronic depression I have finally achieved a reasonable facsimile of mental health. Except... [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 31, 2008 - 19 answers

How do I sort out whether my feelings are due to grief, or depression, and how do I proceed after the suicide of my brother-in-law? [more inside]
posted by alpha_betty on Dec 11, 2008 - 8 answers

Help me design a multi-pronged approach to dealing with longstanding depression/grief/craziness. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 8, 2008 - 14 answers

I can't get out of the relationship I'm in with my girlfriend. Normally, it would just end. Parties would walk away and that would be that. But it's just not that easy with her... [more inside]
posted by runflats on Sep 22, 2008 - 27 answers

How to deal with long grief leading into depression? I lost my boyfriend last year in a very sudden, very horrifying suicide. (there are links in my post about it last year if you're a trainwreck gaper like i am...) I'm in weekly therapy with a great therapist. I see a great psychiatrist monthly. I am on two antidepressants that don't seem to be doing much for me but I can't really tell, because am I depressed or am I still grieving? [more inside]
posted by Soulbee on Sep 17, 2008 - 27 answers

My wife's battled depression for a while, and though she rallied and had a decent few months, she plunged back into the depths of it for the few weeks around her recent birthday (which seems to happen every year, but this year was the worst yet). She had us cancel any birthday plans, cake, etc -- didn't even want anybody to say "happy birthday". After asking a few times and receiving this same answer, I went along with it; it was her birthday, after all. Her mood has lifted since then, but she still doesn't want her presents -- says to return everything, and shuts down when I bring up the subject. Fine, I can return them, except for one, a custom order meant as a present from our four-year-old (call her "Olivia"): a set of coasters printed with Olivia's scanned artwork. What do I do with them? [more inside]
posted by UtterlyDrained on Aug 11, 2008 - 65 answers

Is it right to divorce a depressed spouse? [more inside]
posted by UtterlyDrained on Dec 4, 2007 - 60 answers

My sister is in med school. Her roommate, "Jane," is unwell in many, many ways. My sister doesn't have time to keep on being the hospital and police liaison and chief ambulance driver for her roommate. How do we get "Jane's" family to step up and take some responsibility? [more inside]
posted by bloggerwench on May 22, 2007 - 40 answers

Adult sibling with mental health problems living with parent. How to help from afar? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 9, 2007 - 7 answers

I am 21 and have serious money problems, including a huge debt. The problems are turning into a depression. They affect my ability to commute to work (by car). And now, To top it off, an old friend of mine hung himself 2 days ago. Why? Because of money problems. I dont want to kill myself at all, but I am deeply depressed. Happy Stories, Life Advice, or insight .. all deeply apprecaited. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 5, 2006 - 58 answers

Any advice -- from experience please -- for breaking a friend's cycle of depression, hospitalization, and attempted suicide? [more inside]
posted by nímwunnan on Nov 29, 2006 - 8 answers

Maybe I have a couple problems. The first one probably stems from the second. Insurance won't cover therapy or medication. Is there any place in Baltimore, MD that offers free or very low-cost assistance? Thank you.
posted by anonymous on Mar 30, 2006 - 9 answers

I keep thinking about suicide. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 20, 2006 - 23 answers

How often do you contemplate suicide? What's your score on the Beck Depression Inventory? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 13, 2006 - 79 answers

Me: "Do you think about hurting yourself?" My son: "Suicide? All the time." Help us please. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 9, 2006 - 63 answers

Tonight, one of my housemates checked into a safehouse. Unbeknownst to anyone else in the house, he's been cutting himself, and he's suffering from heavy depression/suicidal thoughts, mostly due to school and being away from home.

What can I do to help out? Things to do when he gets home? What would be nice to bring him while he's getting help? For anyone who's been in this situation, what did you find especially helpful/uplifting?
posted by anonymous on Jan 31, 2005 - 18 answers

Help save my brother's life. [more inside] [more inside]
posted by Coffeemate on Jul 29, 2004 - 78 answers