depressioNet PEER SUPPORT SERVICE

depressioNet's Peer Support Services are available around the clock to support:

• people living in Australia and New Zealand
• aged over 18 years
• with mild or moderate depression only

     For International Visitors

To email the team for Peer Support, please email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

If you are not already a member of the depressioNet Online Communication Forums, click here to register.

Peer Support at depressioNet operates 24 hours a day and we hope to break the isolation for 'People Like Us' impacted by depression.  Please remember that we are not a professional mental health service and cannot provide emergency assistance.  We exist to supplement professional services for people with mild to moderate depression, not to replace them. 

When registering to access the message board and chat component of the Peer Support Service, you are agreeing to abide by the below guidelines.  This is essential to ensure that the Peer Support Service remains a safe and supportive environment for everyone to give and receive encouragement along the road to recovery from depression.

If you have any questions about Peer Support at depressioNet, or are concerned about the behaviour of others, please email the Team on This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .  depressioNet reserves the right to withdraw or restrict access by any member at any time.

depressioNet Guidelines

INDEX

• Welcome to depressioNet  
• Meet the Team 
• Appropriate Use
• Discrimination/Vilification
• Respect for Members and the Team 
• Moderation
• Staying Safe/Being Smart – Personal Information 
• Personal Relationships 
• Reliance on Others
• ‘People Like Us’
• Coming and Going 
• Getting Stuck
• Withdrawal of Access
• Complaints and Grievances
• Suicide

MESSAGE BOARD AND CHAT GUIDELINES

Introducing our Message Boards  

Registration

• Nicknames (user names), Avatars and Signature
• Nicknames (user names)
• Changing your Nickname
• Avatars  
• Signatures

About your Posts

• Direct References - Members
• Direct References - Therapies/Institutions/Mental Health Professionals
• Sharing Factual Information/Links
• Life of Threads/Posts
• Poetry and copyrighted information
• Acronyms
• Facts and Opinions
• Remember to log out

Introducing our Chat

• 1st Visit to Chat 
• One Place/Conversation at a Time
• Being Welcoming
• Contacting Team when in Chat

Welcome to depressioNet 

depressioNet, an Australian based organisation, is created by and for 'people like us', from a variety of backgrounds, who experience depression or have family and friends who do.  We are not health care professionals or a replacement for professional help.  Recognising that depression is an illness, depressioNet addresses the unique issues facing people living with depression.  We believe the Information, Help and Peer-based support services available assist in making informed choices and solutions to the challenges of living with depression.

The online forums (message boards and chat rooms) are intended to provide a safe and supportive environment.  For this reason our forums are moderated and censorship is alive and well.  We seek to ensure that all message board posts and chat comply with the guidelines below, however, depressioNet is not responsible for the content of any interactions in the online forums.  Members posts and chat appear automatically on the website and it can sometimes take some minutes before a moderator has the chance to review the interaction.  Further, as we are human, we may miss things.  Therefore, we are not responsible for the content of any such interactions, nor for any harm or damage that you may suffer as a result of reading or relying upon a post or chat even if we have been negligent.   

These guidelines are extensive, however their purpose is to provide a safe, secure and supportive environment for all including you.  Failure to consistently comply with the guidelines may result in, amongst other things, withdrawal of access. 

depressioNet welcomes many different approaches to the management and treatment of depression and mood disorders however it does not specifically endorse any therapies, clinics, therapeutic styles, methods or other means of management or recovery, rather it supports you in making choices that work for you.   The use of any resources or advice is a personal choice and responsibility.  Our Resources Team can assist you in finding the support you are seeking.   

Access to the message boards and chat is restricted to people aged 18+ however the remainder of the site is open to all.  As we recognise that depression does not respect age, a resources listing is provided on our links page.    

Meet the Team

The depressioNet Team consists of a number of distinct areas and is largely volunteer based.  The Team works together in providing depressioNet’s Information, Help and Peer-based support services, including Online Care, IT, Resources, Media and Fundraising.  Many Team members have experienced depression in their lives or the lives of those close to them and bring a wealth of personal experience to depressioNet.  It is important to note, however, that depressioNet is not a mental health service or staffed with mental health professionals.    

The depressioNet Team provides Peer-based support services to people living with depression through its website, message boards, chat and email. Whatever your query, a Team member will endeavour to respond to you as soon as they are able.  Simply email any questions or concerns to the Team ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ) for a response. 

A Healthcare Professional Advisory Committee assists depressioNet by endeavouring to keep all information and processes up-to-date and relevant to visitors. 

We require that you treat the Team with consideration and respect.  Our Code of Conduct is currently under review and will be available shortly. You will be required to comply with it.  If, at any time you have a complaint or a grievance about the Team or the Code of Conduct, utilise our Complaints and Grievance process.  

Appropriate Use

One site cannot be all things to all people.  depressioNet’s purpose is to provide Information, Help and Peer-based support services for all people living with depression.  Therefore, if multiple diagnoses apply, you may require support from a number of services in addition to depressioNet.  Our 'links' section provides relevant resources in this regard. 

depressioNet is not a mental health or on-line counselling service.   For the purposes of these guidelines, a mental health service is provided by:  

• General Practitioners (GPs);
• Psychiatrists;
• Mental Health Nurse, Nurse Practitioners, and Clinical Nurse Consultants;
• Psychologists;
• Public and Private Hospitals with psychiatric beds, day-stay programs and support services;
• Private aged care facilities;
• Other mental health and allied health professionals, including social workers;
• Health Services provided in the non-government sector, such as telephone counselling services or drug and alcohol services; or
• Online counselling services employing qualified mental health professionals or counsellors trained through an accredited course.

The depressioNet forums are not designed to provide long-term support to members.  If long-term support is required, depressioNet actively encourages members to seek assistance from a qualified health professional.  Our Resources team can assist by providing contact details of support services. 

depressioNet’s message boards and chat are intended to be inclusive for all eligible members.  While friendships may occur, these are not to exclude any members from participating in particular threads or in chat.    Regardless of length of membership, all members stand on an equal footing. 

Our forums are not to be used: 

• as a 'mental health service';
• if you are suicidal;
• to discuss self harm (methods, injuries etc);
• to replace professional help and support;
• for long term support;
• to be an ‘expert’ in the treatment and management  of depression;                   
• to offer anything other than your own opinion or experiences;
• as a dating service or 'pick up' place or the seeking or promotion of personal relationships;
• as a personal blog or journal site;
• to recite poetry, music lyrics or copyrighted material;
• for personal grievances of any sort;
• for conveying personal messages;
• to abuse or defame others;
• to post material protected by copyright (unless you have depressioNet approval);
• for exchange of personal information; or
• for research – professional or study. 

depressioNet seeks to provide an environment which offers both encouragement and support, recognition of the similarities in experiences with depression but also for raising and discussing depression-related issues.   Both have a rightful place at depressioNet and if your inclination is for one or the other, please respect the right of both to exist.  If there is a post that you do not agree with you are welcome to let the Team know, you are also free to move on without comment. 

If you have a product, service or research project that you would like to let others know about, and it is considered of help and/or interest to people living with depression and their families and friends, email the Team ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ) who will work with you to find the most appropriate way of letting others know.  DO NOT post directly to the message board or promote same in the chat room.   

Misuse of the forums in any way will result in steps being taken which may include withdrawal of access. 

Discrimination/Vilification

depressioNet does not tolerate discrimination of any kind be it racial, sexual, based on ethnicity, political, religious, age, gender, socio-economic, marital status or in any other way.   Our Code of Ethics is available through the depressioNet website and can be accessed here. 

Evidence of discrimination or vilification will result in withdrawal of access. 

Respect for Members and Team

depressioNet requires that all users and Team members will be treated in a respectful way.  Our Code of Ethics can be accessed through the depressioNet website.  Indications of respect include: 

• No personal attacks for any reason;
• No excessive swearing;
• No name calling;
• No defamation;
• No triggering conversations or encouragement of self-defeating or self-harming behaviours;
• Respect that others are not responsible for your feelings at any time and others are not able to ‘fix’ things for you;
• No ‘yelling’ (use of capitals);
• No inclusion of personal details about yourself or others – after all we don’t know who else may be visiting depressioNet and recognise you by your descriptions;
• Acknowledgement and acceptance of differing points of view (differing views are part of life and if you don’t agree, that’s OK - either put your view respectfully or move on to the next post or chat); or
• Remembering that others are just like you, with struggles and challenges in life.

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Moderation

Moderation at depressioNet provides a safe and secure environment for members to discuss deeply personal and often emotionally charged issues around depression.    depressioNet's Online Care Moderators are consistently moderating the message boards and chat.  However, as noted above, depressioNet takes no responsibility for the content of any posts – such responsibility rests with the author.  Website moderation includes: 

• ensuring discussions moving smoothly;
• organisation of the message boards;
• helping members through misunderstandings or emotional or sensitive moments;
• ensuring information and submissions are useful, relevant and informative;
• interventions in chat when members feeling unsafe or unsure of another’s behaviour;
• management of spam, trolling or flaming of the site; or
• identification of issues of concern which may need to be addressed away from the message  boards or chat. 

Moderation relies greatly on judgement with all decisions based on a desire to uphold the greater good of the depressioNet community as a whole.   What may not be harmful to you may be harmful to others and moderation occurs to ensure the site is safe for all members.  

You will be advised of any moderation related to a thread or post to which you have contributed.   Of course, mistakes are sometimes made (after all we are real people behind the scenes and human, after all) or you may disagree with the moderation however onboard arguments or challenges to the decisions of moderation will be removed.  As noted above, depressioNet will not be responsible for any harm or damage you suffer as a result of anything that read on any of the forums even if it said that such loss or damage was a result of out negligence.  Information on how to appropriately complain is contained under our Complaints and Grievances guideline. 

Further information on what is acceptable on the forums follows in the Message board/Chat section below.     

Staying Safe/Being Smart

Personal Information

depressioNet does not advise or encourage the sharing of personal information on the forums, however, ultimately the decision is yours to make.  depressioNet cannot take any action or responsibility for any behaviour occurring outside of depressioNet.  This applies to any person who may have visited depressioNet at any time.  Information sharing cannot be totally prevented, however, any evidence of exchanged details will result in withdrawal of access to message boards and chat.   

For your own and other’s privacy we ask that personal issues remain outside of depressioNet. 

For your own personal safety we request that you: 

• do not reveal any personal information about yourself or anyone else on the forums – this includes your phone number, email address, home address, other forum details;
• do not arrange to meet anyone in the ‘real world’;
• do not seek personal relationships; and
• do use good judgement and always clarify information provided with a medical professional in relation to medical and other treatments – remember that other member’s experiences will be different to your own.   

depressioNet does not permit the posting of telephone numbers or other personal information on the message board or in chat - this includes email address, personal websites and details for other forms of communication such as MSN and Yahoo Messenger.  Telephone numbers or personal contact details will be removed for your safety.  The Team moderates chat and individuals found to be exchanging personal details in the chat room will have their access restricted, suspended or withdrawn. 

The ability to view other member’s profiles or access to the PM (Personal Messaging) system is not available at depressioNet. 

Please note:  depressioNet will not, under any circumstances, pass on your personal information to any person, at any time, even with your permission.

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Personal Relationships

There are many websites available for establishing personal relationships.  depressioNet is not one of them.  Under no circumstances are the depressioNet message boards or chat rooms to be used to seek or promote a personal relationship.  Friendships may develop however for your safety and the safety of others we ask that these be restricted to within depressioNet solely for the purpose of providing mutual support and encouragement along the road to recovery and/or effectively living with depression. 

All members are encouraged to behave in a way that ensures their personal safety at all times.  depressioNet and its officers, employees and volunteers are in no way responsible for anything that may occur should contact or meetings occur with a person or people they have met through depressioNet even if that event occurs as a result of any negligence by depressioNet, its officers, employees or volunteers.      

Reliance on Others

depressioNet is a peer support service.  This means that other members are not health care professionals of any kind.  Be careful not to rely on others for support that may be more appropriate from a qualified health care professional.   This includes:   

• soliciting other members for medical advice e.g. ‘should I increase/decrease/stop taking my medications’;
• posting messages asking people to respond or implying that responses are insufficient;
• holding an expectation that other members will be available for you at any time you need – this may be in chat or on the message boards. There may be times when others are emotionally unable to assist you;
• talking about triggering topics with others – triggering topics are those that include but are not restricted to self-harm, suicide, abuse, sexual assault, violence or rage; or
• requesting details of when a specific member last visited the forums, depressioNet has a no doors policy, members are free to visit as often or as little as they like. 
• Unqualified medical advice, including recommendations that people change or stop their medications, is illegal and your access will be withdrawn.  The ONLY acceptable medical advice is to suggest people seek treatment from qualified clinical and/or therapeutic health care professionals. 
• Please look to your doctor, visit our Resources section or email the Team ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it )who will help you to find the professional help and support that you need.

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‘People like us’

depressioNet is visited by people who have experienced depression in their lives, either personally or through family or friends.  depressioNet welcomes all people living with depression.   

All members enjoy the same status, regardless of occupation.  Some members are career health care professionals, however when visiting depressioNet, occupation and training is not relevant. 
All members are here as peers – 'people like us'.  Health care professionals are not to give medical or health advice to other members or in any way act as a health care professional within the depressioNet message board or chat.   

Coming and Going

If depressioNet is not what you need or you have found the support and encouragement you were looking for and are ready to move on, please do not post messages that say you are 'leaving' depressioNet.

There is no need, and in the past people have been embarrassed to return once they have said they were leaving.  depressioNet is always here for you when you need it.  There is no obligation to visit or to post at any time. 

Getting stuck

At times it may become apparent that depressioNet is not assisting a member to move forward in the management of their depression and is, in fact, proving to be unhelpful.  depressioNet reserves the right to actively encourage such members to seek additional professional support and may withdraw access to the site to allow room for that support to occur in the 'real world'.  Our Resources team can assist by providing contact details for appropriate support. 

Withdrawal of access

In order to maintain a safe, secure and welcoming environment, withdrawal of access to message boards and chat can occur for a variety of reasons including: 

• Continual non-compliance to these guidelines;
• Inappropriate use of the message board or chat;
• Registration for inappropriate reasons;
• Multiple registrations to one person;
• Ongoing crisis which includes suicidal behaviour in chat or on the message boards;
• Acting in a manner which puts any other person’s mental health at risk; or
• Time out to allow support to occur in the 'real world'. 

Any proposed withdrawal of access is considered by a multi-member Review Panel and is only imposed after considered review.  You will be advised if your membership will be withdrawn with suggestions for rectifying the difficulties – it is not common for anyone to be permanently banned from depressioNet. 

Prior to reinstatement evidence must be received by the Review Panel of: 

• Acceptance of personal responsibility for the outcome of behaviours;
• Supports in place in the real world to assist the member to maintain equilibrium;
• Evidence of understanding, acceptance and future adherence to the guidelines; or
• Personal self-control during the period of access withdrawal, i.e. member has not re-registered during this period. 

The decision of depressioNet on these matters is final. 

Access to the Team ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ) via email and the remainder of the site will continue to be  available.

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Complaints and Grievances

depressioNet is a community comprised of relationships of different types and intensities.  As in the real world, difficulties can occasionally arise through opposing opinions, beliefs, misunderstandings or sensitivities. Our Complaints and Grievances Policy is currently under review and will be available shortly.   

In the interim, if you have any complaints, grievances or concerns about any aspect of depressioNet, members or Team, please email your concerns to This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .  All complaints, grievances and concerns will be fully investigated and you will be advised of the outcomes.   

DO NOT discuss any complaint or grievance on the message board or in chat. This is to respect the privacy of all parties concerned as well as to avoid putting all members in an awkward position in terms of responding. 

SUICIDE

At times life can seem unbearable.  It seems that there is nothing but pain for you and you may feel like giving up on life.  Or it may be someone you know who feels this way.  There may be different reasons for the powerful feelings of depression and despair which can lead to suicidal thoughts including:

• loss of a loved one;
• loss of a relationship;
• a chronic illness;
• major life changes;
• loss of purpose, role, employment;
• stress or disappointment;
• financial pressures;
• bullying; or
• rejection or loneliness.     

For some people, there may not be an obvious reason for their depression and it may be a biological or environmental factor which is influencing their feelings - regardless of the reasons why, this can be a time when thoughts of suicide are in our minds.   

Suicidal thoughts (suicidal ideation) are common in people suffering from depression and are frightening and disturbing.  Suicidal ideation involves considering or imagining taking your life and may range from vague urges and thoughts to detailed plans, role playing and writing of goodbye letters yet may not have a serious intention attached to the thoughts.    

However, persistent suicidal ideation with associated feelings of hopelessness and intent to die is very serious and you need to seek help from your health practitioner or a suitable service urgently.   

Indications of suicidal intention can include: 

• Severe, intense feelings of anxiety or depression;
• Being withdrawn, alone, lack of friends and support;
• Sense of complete powerlessness, a hopeless feeling;
• Loss of interest in personal hygiene, friends, school, work or activities previously enjoyed;
• Writing or talking about suicide (ie “I want to die”, “I hate myself”);
• Decreased work or academic performance;
• Heavy drug or alcohol use;
• Increased risk-taking behaviors;
• Previous attempts of low to high lethality;
• Frequent or constant thoughts with a specific plan in mind; or
• Cries for help: Making a will, giving possessions away, writing or saying "I’m calling it quits", "Maybe my family would be better off without me", “I want to die”.

If you see yourself or someone you know in this list, urgently contact your health professional immediately and seek help.

Sometimes it can seem like suicide is the only option you have to escape the pain but it’s not.  There are other alternatives for dealing with the pain and suicide or harming yourself is NOT the best option - no matter how much the depression screams at you that it is.  depressioNet is created for ‘people like us’ to support each other along the road to 'wellness'.  It is here to help us through the long dark days and night and to get better.

The following points assist us in maintaining a safe and secure site for all depressioNet members:

• At no time will depressioNet allow any post or chat to occur that promotes suicide or self harm as
  an option for escaping from the pain of depression.  
• If you think there is a very real chance you are in immediate danger, call Lifeline (13 11 14) immediately, Police on 000, your local hospital, mental health support team or an emergency counselling and support service near to you, email us ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ) or find a live person and scream HELP!!!  Why?  Because you ARE worth it! 
• If you need for someone to know that ending your life is a very real option for you, please put all that pain and misery down in writing and email it to the Team.  There is a person at the other end who knows how you feel and who really understands the pain you are experiencing.  
• Please do not post messages or announce in chat an intention to harm yourself or suicidal goodbye notes. These are of no benefit to anyone and can be very upsetting to others. It is unfair to put people who are halfway across the country, or the world, in the position of being responsible for your life, and it is unfair to flaunt your overdose in front of people who care or who may even be harmed.  If you are feeling like this, we ask that you do not enter the chat rooms. 
• Please do not put other visitors or depressioNet at risk by wanting members or the Team to prevent your suicide.  If you think you may be in danger you need to seek help to keep yourself safe immediately!  If you are not in physical danger it is much better to ask for help and support with getting through the tough times.  Remember, this is what depressioNet is here for and there are plenty of us who know how you feel. 
• Suicidal thoughts are a very real part of the insidious illness that is depression.  It can help to let people know that you are having thoughts of suicide or harming yourself.  This is very different from having an intention to act on those thoughts.  
• If you are having suicidal thoughts and need to say this, you are welcome to do so however this is only to be done in the context of asking for help and ideas to control these thoughts, not in terms of discussing details of method or acting on these thoughts.   
• If you are having suicidal thoughts or are feeling suicidal but not in immediate danger, post to the board and ask for help to stay safe rather than help to prevent you killing yourself.  It is a subtle but important difference in that it focuses on staying safe, as opposed to harming yourself.  

You are not alone, many of us are or have been where you are and there is hope.  Things can and do often improve – do what you need to do to get through this moment by using whatever supports are available to you.  depressioNet is one support – use it!

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MESSAGE BOARDS AND CHAT GUIDELINES

Introducing our Message Boards

Our message boards provide an opportunity to share your thoughts, feelings, personal stories and experiences with depression and to seek feedback and encouragement from other members.  Moderators may respond to posts from time to time as relevant. 

Each forum is self-explanatory and you are asked to post to an appropriate forum to receive answers which may be helpful to you.  If you post to a forum which is not the most appropriate for the audience you are seeking, you can request to have your thread moved.  Moderators, recognising there is a more appropriate forum for the thread, may move your thread.  All those who have posted to the thread will be advised if this occurs. All forums are moderated.   

Visitors to depressioNet often have depression and may be experiencing hypersensitivity and paranoia which are common symptoms. When posting or chatting, please be aware of the needs of others and the possible impact of our words. 

The current framework of our forums is:

Registration 

When applying for membership at depressioNet you are required to: 

• provide complete, current and accurate details as required by the registration process;
• read and accept the guidelines as conditions of continued use;
• not register more than one user name at any time;
• choose an appropriate user name and avatar - see message board section below for advice of what is considered inappropriate;
• provide moderators with updated information, including changed email addresses, immediately upon change; or
• contact moderators should you wish to suspend your membership at any time. 

Information which is inaccurate, or suspected to be inaccurate, will result in membership being revoked or suspended until confirming details are received. 

On registration, we do suggest that, when you feel ready, you post to the Welcome forum – just tell us a little bit about yourself and let everyone know that you are new!  Other members are very helpful if you have any queries or questions to ask. 

Nicknames (user names), Avatars and Signatures

depressioNet encourages members to express themselves through their nicknames, avatars and signatures with creativity and humour, however, to ensure the ongoing safety of the forums there are some limits. These limits ensure the safety and security of the site and its members and assist in managing resource allocation.  

It is suggested, to avoid confusion, that you sign off your posts with your nickname in preference to your ‘real life’ Christian name.  Use of Christian names between members can indicate a higher level of intimacy between members which may dissuade newer members from participating in particular threads.

Nicknames (user names)

Do not select a user name which is:

• sexually explicit;
• profane;
• toilet humour; 
• offensive; 
• racial;
• blood or other bodily fluids; 
• drug or alcohol related; 
• discriminatory in any way; 
• promotes self-harm or suicide as a viable option; 
• is the same as your real name.   

If you choose a Nickname for its shock value, the user name will be changed by Moderators and/or your access may be withdrawn.

Changing your Nickname

At times, the Nickname you select when you register is not the name you may wish to have long-term.  Nicknames can be changed by emailing the Team ( This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ) who will confirm your registration details prior to altering your Nickname.  Once  changed, you are required to post to the 'Change of Nickname' thread to ensure all members realise that the change has occurred.  This reduces confusion about who is who!  Changing your nickname will result in all your posts changing to the new Nickname. 

Avatars

Avatars must not contain: 

• triggering images such as self-harm, suicidal imagery, or nudity;
• advertising of any goods or service;
• sexually explicit material;
• pornography;
• obscene gestures;
• weaponry;
• blood or other bodily fluids;
• illegal objects or acts;
• drug or alcohol related imagery;
• derogatory images to any particular culture or person; or
• other vulgar, obscene or offensive images as determined by moderators.

Signatures

Signatures must not: 

• be longer than 3 lines of text;
• link to or advertise personal or other websites or your blog site;
• contain lyrics or poetry which is copyrighted;
• contain quotes which are pro self-harm or