Are you like me? Trying to live a 'normal' life, but feeling weighed down by a depressive disorder that refuses to leave your side, nomatter how hard you try? Sure, you have friends, family, and others in your life who try to understand what it's like. But depression isn't like a broken bone or the occasional feeling of sadness. It's a part of who we are. It penetrates our thoughts, our feelings, our energy, and our entire being. if you haven't experienced it, you can't relate to it.

It's nice to know that people care about you. It's equally nice to be around the people you care about. But wouldn't it be really nice to take a break once in a while, and hang out with people who truly understand what you're going through? To be with a group of people where you don't need to put on a 'happy act'?

That's what I'm hoping this group will become. We all have lives to live, places to be, and things to do. But let's create a 'vacation spot', where we can be ourselves. If you're feeling sad, overwhelmed, exhausted, bitter...whether you have a reason for it, or not, come hang out with the people who won't judge you, or expect you to justify why you're feeling the way you are. And if you're feeling happy, energetic, or full of love, come share it with the rest of us!

I want to set an environment where everyone can be free of stigma, expectations, and the urge to pretend like nothing's wrong. I want to form a group built on the foundation of acceptance and understanding. From there, we can build bonds, support networks, friendships, etc.

Have you ever felt lonely, but at the same time, not want to be social? Have you ever wanted to be social, but chose to stay home instead, because you didn't want to be the 'debbie downer'? Here's a chance to fix all that! Let's be a group where social meets anti-social. A place where you can be happy, or sad, talkative, or silent. This will be the place where we can be/think/do whatever we want, whenever we want.

I've been on every pill in the book. I've tried therapy, naturopathy, experimental treatments, non-traditional treatments...and I'm nowhere closer to winning the battle than I was 10 years ago. I'm a fighter, and I WILL find the answer...but who knows when that will be? What I'm trying to say is that depression is manageable, treatable, and sometimes curable. The hardest part of the battle is trying to do it alone. I am more fortunate than most, for having a wonderfully supportive family and group of friends. But, at the end of the day, I still feel empty and alone. When I'm lucky enough to hang out with the few friends of mine who are also battling depression, those are the days when I feel most at peace come nightfall.

I can't speak for all of you...but I'm sure there are many of you out there who are just like me, who just want to get away from it all, once in a while, and connect with others who can identify with you on that deep intimate channel...a channel that the rest of society can't tune into.