Dep-Anon

Book excerpt: Dep-Anon is a support group for family and friends of the depressed. This program is very much like Al-Anon where family members and friends can gather to help each other learn about the nature of depression. The motive for starting a group for family and friends of the depressed is to ensure that those most affected by the depression of a loved one learn from each other the best ways to care for themselves. In a way, the 12 step program of recovery is much like Al-Anon in that family and friends of the alcoholic take care of themselves while keeping the focus on their own lives and not on the behavior of the alcoholic. One important thing that the family members learn from the Dep-Anon Family Group is that they are no longer alone. I learn to take responsibility for my own life.Dep-ANon helps us to share our experiences, strengths, and hope with our fellowship family. Depressed Anonymous and Dep-Anon are two sides of the same coin: In Depressed Anonymous, the depressed seek help and find it for themselves in their fellowship. In Dep-Anon the family finds help for themselves in their group fellowship. In both of these fellowships, the keystone for recovery are the 12spiritual principles of recovery. Both groups embark on a journey of mutual support while incorporating the spiritual principles in every aspect of their daily lives.