Tools and Resources
Learning about depression can make it easier to take the first steps on the path toward feeling better. It helps to understand the symptoms and causes of depression, the range of treatments available, and how to care for yourself or a loved one with depression.
Tools
Here are some materials to help you get started:
- How Cymbalta Is Believed to Work shows how serotonin and norepinephrine work.
- Depression Impact Tool helps you understand and identify symptoms you may be experiencing by allowing you to select, rate, and print out your own list of symptoms to share with your doctor.
- Depression Treatment Initiation Guide offers information on how Cymbalta can help those experiencing symptoms of depression.
- Depression Information Guide provides additional information about the condition and answers to questions you may have about Cymbalta.
- Glossary of relevant terms found on this site
Online Depression Resources
Advocacy & Support Groups
These nonprofit organizations can help you learn more about depression and how to treat and manage it. Some may also be able to direct you to support groups and doctors in your area.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
In-depth information on depression and other mood disorders from one of the nation's leading support and advocacy groups. Includes extensive links to local support groups. Find a physician or psychologist to treat depression. Resources and tools are available to help "improve the lives of people with depression and bipolar disorder."
www.DBSAlliance.org
Families for Depression Awareness
A resource for families grappling with depression and related mental illnesses. Includes educational information, personal stories, and advice and support for caregivers.
www.FamilyAware.org
Freedom From Fear
A mental health advocacy association founded in 1984, Freedom From Fear provides anxiety and depression resources for mental illness sufferers and their families. This site offers an anxiety and depression screening tool, as well as referrals to local healthcare providers who will review your results with you at no charge.
www.FreedomFromFear.org
Mental Health America (MHA)
Formerly known as the National Mental Health Association, MHA is "the country's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives." This site offers advocacy, support, and research covering all aspects of mental health and mental illness.
www.MentalHealthAmerica.net
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI works on the local and national level to provide support and advocacy to people with mental illness, their families, and their friends. This site contains information about depression and other mental illnesses, links to support resources, and news about policy and research initiatives.
www.nami.org
National Empowerment Center
This site offers information on myriad topics, such as self-help groups, legal services, meditation, and self-help techniques in your neighborhood.
www.power2u.org
On Our Own of Maryland
This site offers mental health education and advocacy network.
www.OnOurOwnMD.org
SharetheCaregiving, Inc.
This not-for-profit organization's mission is to promote and educate the public about group caregiving by using the "Share The Care" model. Friends and family members will find in-depth information and resources.
www.ShareTheCare.org
Suicide Prevention Action Network of USA (SPAN USA)
SPAN USA is an organization for suicide-attempt survivors or people affected by suicide and is dedicated to preventing suicide through public education and awareness; community action; and federal, state, and local grassroots advocacy.
www.spanusa.org
Government Agencies
These sites, which always end with ".gov," often include publications about an illness, news about medications and clinical trials, links to medical articles and research, and links to local groups and resources.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
An information-rich site dedicated to mental health issues. Includes several easy-to-read government publications about depression in English and Spanish.
www.nimh.nih.gov
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center provides a wealth of online mental health information and resources, including a tool that allows you to locate mental health services in your area as well as a list of national toll-free hotlines that provide mental health resources and referrals.
www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov
Health-related Sites
Medical sites usually cover a range of topics, offering information about many illnesses, their symptoms and causes, types of treatment, and links to other resources.
American Psychiatric Association
Find a psychiatrist, fact sheets, pamphlets, tips on choosing a psychiatrist, and other resources.
www.psych.org
American Psychological Association
Here you can find a psychologist to treat depression.
www.apa.org
National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC)
The NWHRC site contains excellent overviews of numerous health topics of interest to women, including depression.
www.HealthyWomen.org
WebMD
This site includes a comprehensive and easy-to-follow overview of depression, its symptoms, causes, treatments, and more.
www.WebMD.com
Drug Information
These sites allow you to find detailed information about widely available medications, including specifics about precautions to take and potential side effects.
MedlinePlus
This site from the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine has a database with information about thousands of prescription and over-the-counter medications.
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
