DEPRESSION
Fellowship of Depressives Anonymous
A National self-help organisation
(Charity No. 294482)
The Fellowship of Depressives Anonymous (FDA) is a national
Registered Charity
formed of, by and for the people who are experiencing, or
who have experienced,
depression. Membership, which is by subscription to our
Newsletter, is open to all
depression sufferers, past or present, and to their carers.
GENERAL INFORMATION
FDA works on a mutual aid (or self-help) basis.
Whilst encouraging members to take advantage of, and to
co-operate with all the available conventional mental health
support services, we aim to help people to share helpful
ideas, and support each other. We do this in a variety of
ways - local groups, pen-friend links, our Newsletter and
public meetings. These public meetings also provide a chance
for the caring professions to find out what we do and share
their expertise. There is also the opportunity for the public
to learn more about depression. Our leaflets and book list
provide information on various topics of interest to those
liable to depression and those who are involved with them.
Guidance on group formation is available.
Members range from the suicidally depressed to those who
are seriously unhappy. We are not a ‘Twelve Step’
organization.
MISSION STATEMENT
To offer encouragement and mutual support to those who suffer
from depression by providing means for contact between depressives,
with the intention of supporting each other, and co-operating
in their own recovery.
Depression can vary from the feeling that life is dull,
grey and pointless, to deep suicidal despair. There appears
to be no one cause for all depression and no single effective
treatment which cures everyone, though most can be helped
by medication, and other therapies.
In FDA we believe that many people can also be helped by
the encouragement and support of fellow sufferers, giving
them a chance to share experiences and feel less isolated.
Due to the stigma attached to depression (which we work
to dispel) we use “anonymous” in our name, to
make clear that we practice complete confidentiality, and
expect all members to do the same. In spite of our name,
we are not a “Twelve Step” organisation, although
any local group might choose to follow this way.
Whilst we have no ‘quick fix” for depression,
we most certainly do not believe that there is no hope This
stems from our first hand, practical, personal experience
of depression, common to all our members, and is our most
valuable asset.
This makes FDA a unique organisation, allowing us to reach
out to people who are suffering the worst feelings of worthlessness,
isolation and helplessness, and to say to them, “Yes
- we’ve been there too, and we know how it feels -
you’re really not on your own.”
WHO ARE WE?
We are a self help organisation made up of people who understand
what it is to be depressed and who try to help ourselves
and each other.
WHAT DO WE DO?
We provide a bimonthty newsletter, a pen friend scheme,
local groups, book lists and other things.
WHO CAN JOIN?
All who have (or have had) depression and those concerned
for them.
To find out more about FDA send s.a.e. to:
Fellowship of Depressives Anonymous
FREEPOST NEA5373,
Beverley,
HU17 9BR
