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Ask HN: How can I help people defeat depression?

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Re: Ask HN: How can I help people defeat depression?

#21

Post by mbrock »

pizza wrote: post #7
combatentropy wrote: post #5

I wonder if some kind of chatbot therapist would help. It would have to be somehow preloaded with actual good things to say. Maybe you could get real therapists to volunteer various answers. It's not ideal, but many people are in desperate situations. Not everyone can afford $100 an hour for a therapist. And there's something to be said for someone who just listens. I remember hearing a story decades ago about a man…

There was an early chatbot that did something less sophisticated than this, called ELIZA. It mostly repeated back what the user typed in a question form, but the typing of thoughts was cathartic enough for people to use it for long sessions

If you have Emacs, a version of Eliza is available via M-x doctor.

Re: Ask HN: How can I help people defeat depression?

#23

Post by jakebasile »

My condolences for your loss, and to their family.

I think the main thing that can be done to help people with these issues is to reduce the stigma of mental illness. The idea that you are somehow responsible or shouldn't talk about those problems keeps people from getting the help they need. Unfortunately I do not know how this can be done.

I'd be happy to talk to you about this privately, if you wish. My contact info is in my profile.

Re: Ask HN: How can I help people defeat depression?

#24

Post by beerbaron23 »

* Having someone that is able to listen and relate too is very important, especially someone you can build a relationship on that genuinely cares.

* Having a purpose. depression is sometimes based on the fact that the person has no purpose, no one to impress, no one that needs/appreciate the help they can give.

* Having a method where people can meet and build small common goals for the day/week in smaller groups (5 or less) would really help.

* Exercise, healthy eating and creativity.

* A job = some sort of purpose, so employment.

* Getting a routine.

* Sun/Vitamin D

* Building a positive and useful environment around themselves.

* Being part of something that has some meaning, like if they would not attend/be there it will not advance without them. This makes them important and the feeling of having a purpose to get out of bed.

* Anything that makes you laugh.

Re: Ask HN: How can I help people defeat depression?

#26

Post by beerbaron23 »

contingencies wrote: post #14
tyre wrote: post #10

Can help: Medication (SSRIs, SSNRIs), therapy, meditation, exercise, close relationships Can hurt: lack of sleep, alcohol, stress, traumatic/emotional events

Drugs have a very dark side and can definitely hurt, I would not think it's a balanced, modern, medical perspective recommend these without serious consideration!

True, but also they can help a great deal and shouldn't be ruled out. Shouldn't be the automatic answer either.

Re: Ask HN: How can I help people defeat depression?

#27

Post by greyostrich »

imd23 wrote: post #3

I have had a one but long period of depression in the past where everything was dark. Dark as hell. Retrospectively I can say, by far the thigs that help the most are just someone listening. Listening the other who needs it and in a 10% maybe help them by reframing them and put in perspective their view. It is a really difficult job. Second something that helped me a lot was CBT online by using Lantern, it helps you…

How much did the best gym cost? I was previously looking at one $150/month, but that's obviously too much for someone with no income.

Re: Ask HN: How can I help people defeat depression?

#28

Post by greyostrich »

beerbaron23 wrote: post #25
greyostrich wrote: post #22

As someone currently with depression (it's 4 AM, and I only had 3 hours of sleep), a job would really help. I've been unemployed for almost 2 years since graduation.

That's pretty much the story over here...

Right now I'm just re-studying CS (history, OS, networks, databases, algorithms, etc.). Hopefully it helps, and it reminds me why I like CS.

A lack of job means living with my parents, having no ownership, being treated like a child, no future, etc.

I did have a contract before, but it was terribly underpaid and career killing, since no one wants to invest into you. I currently have another interview scheduled for a different 3-month contract for even worse pay ($23/hr in NYC).

The lack of having a career is terribly depressing. I get whiplash from the conditions and being treated as a non-member of the team.

Re: Ask HN: How can I help people defeat depression?

#29

Post by newpossible »

greyostrich wrote: post #28
beerbaron23 wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's pretty much the story over here...

Right now I'm just re-studying CS (history, OS, networks, databases, algorithms, etc.). Hopefully it helps, and it reminds me why I like CS. A lack of job means living with my parents, having no ownership, being treated like a child, no future, etc. I did have a contract before, but it was terribly underpaid and career killing, since no one wants to invest into you. I currently have another interview scheduled for a…

Could you provide some way to contact you in your profile? Email etc? I think someone would like to talk with you about your skills / possible gigs (I would contact you over the next days for sure). Also: perhaps put a list of your skills in your profile, together with a 'looking for job/contract'.

Re: Ask HN: How can I help people defeat depression?

#30

Post by newpossible »

beerbaron23 wrote: post #25
greyostrich wrote: post #22

As someone currently with depression (it's 4 AM, and I only had 3 hours of sleep), a job would really help. I've been unemployed for almost 2 years since graduation.

That's pretty much the story over here...

Could you provide an email address / way to contact you in your profile?
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