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Volunteer Peer Support Moderators
The depressioNet forums are moderated 24-hours a day, 7-days a week by trained Volunteer Peer Support Moderators and we are currently recruiting Team members for our 10pm-4am shifts.
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A view from one of our volunteers
Having studied Psychology for 3 years, I wanted to join depressioNet to gain a deeper understanding of mental illness and to also do what I could within my capability to assist people going through depression.
After nearly 7 months of volunteering at depressioNet, I feel like I have learnt a lot from my interactions with the members of depressioNet. It is also quite a rewarding experience knowing you have been able to make someone feel better simply by being empathetic and providing support. This experience has taught me to be more patient, understanding and accepting of others. Volunteering at depressioNet has also expanded my interest and knowledge of depression and I am even considering carrying out research in this area during my Masters degree.
I truly enjoy volunteering at depressioNet and would happily continue to so.
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We seek people to become part of our Team with the following attributes and skills:
Mandatory Requirements:
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Strong interpersonal skills – communicates respect for other people, including depressioNet clients, staff and other Team members.
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Active listening skills, demonstrating an intention to hear and understand another person’s point of view - person does not feel the need to ‘counsel’ people but can simply offer somewhere to turn as a sounding board.
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Language proficiency – individual must have sound written language skills. Applicants with language proficiencies are encouraged to apply.
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Can commit to a period of 12 months, with at least one four-hour shift per fortnight.
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Has the capacity to work autonomously or as part of an integrated team and relates well to feedback.
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Has a strong sense of self-awareness, empathy and the capacity to build rapport with clients.
Preferred Requirements:
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Has the capacity for creative problem-solving.
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Sound Information Technology skills, including email, Message Board and Internet skills.
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Has home access to PC and Broadband Internet access (must not be a public computer i.e. library, university) with Java-enabled web browser.
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Cognitive academic language proficiency – preferably, the individual will have some form of tertiary (or equivalent) training and/or has sound spelling and grammatical skills.
Full training is provided prior to commencement and a component of the Peer Support training is the Living Works Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training workshop which will be organised through depressioNet.
If you are interested in helping to provide peer support to people impacted by depression, please contact blake@depressioNet.com.au for further information.
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Some more stories from our volunteer
A simple request and one I thought I would be able to fulfill without much thought. Yet, for days I have been struggling to find words to do justice to my experience volunteering at depressioNet. The sentences I construct seem empty and have not adequately captured my thoughts and feelings on volunteering, nor have the words been able to reflect the determination, strength, warmth, insight and compassion I have had the privilege of witnessing in the behaviour of our members.
Depression sucks! Eloquent description I know. But it is true. Depression can do detrimental damage to all areas of a person’s life. Yet to imagine the pain, loneliness and havoc it causes it very hard to contemplate unless you have experienced its presence. And I have. Therefore, if by volunteering at depressioNet I can make one person, for one moment, feel less alone, confused, isolated, unsure, scared, I consider my time volunteering worthwhile.
Yet, depression not only affects the individual but it also has the power to filter through into the lives of those who care for the person, whether it be family or friends. However, despite the desire to help and support often family and friends are ignorant on how to reach out, or completely confused over what to do. Which in many situations prevents them from doing anything. Therefore, I hope that by listening, supporting and encouraging I can support a career to feel more comfortable and confident in being able to reach out to there loved one who is in pain.
I sincerely regret the fact that prior to joining depressioNet as a volunteer I had not known of its existence. Yet, the night I discovered the site, I instantly knew I had discovered a place I wanted to volunteer at. The homepage was different back then, and despite its simplicity, I was absorbed by depressioNet history and purpose. Volunteering at depressioNet has been the most amazing experience and one I can not articulately explain.
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Resources Team Members Required
“… I was recently diagnosed with depression and I’m struggling…I live in Bendigo, Victoria, and urgently need some affordable nearby services. I’ve tried looking everywhere but had no luck. Can you please help me?”
The Resources team at depressioNet respond to email requests from people across Australia needing assistance with locating mental health resources in their area, such as psychologists, support groups, GPs, psychiatrists, clinics and alternative therapies.
People requiring assistance can include individuals who have unsuccessfully searched for help, individuals seeking alternative help, carers of a loved one with mental health issues, individuals residing in isolated rural areas, or individuals too incapacitated to find help for themselves.
A person unable to find the help they need to manage their mental health can email the Resources team at resources@depressioNet.com.au, and promptly receive a comprehensive and compassionate response consisting of useful information, help and support.
The Resources team comprise of dedicated volunteers who are committed to ensuring that Australians living with depression and related disorders are sufficiently resourced to find and receive the help that they need.
Members of the team:
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Are compassionate and understanding of the difficulties people with mental health issues face when seeking help.
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Have good research and investigative skills used to locate resources that are often obscure and difficult to find.
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Have a thirst for knowledge of the resources available in the community and across Australia.
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Are passionate in seeing people with mental health issues empowered to achieve better mental health outcomes, and connected with the appropriate help to do so.
To obtain an application form, please email blake@depressioNet.com.au
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Volunteer@dNet
depressioNet provides information, help and peer support to people in the community impacted by depression. The peer support service is facilitated through an email service, message boards and live chat. 
depressioNet 2008