BEATING DEPRESSION TOGETHER

Free phone and web seminar Tuesday 16 June, 8pm Sydney time

This free phone and web seminar cuts through the jargon and confusing information to provide actionable gems, which will help sufferers and carers start climbing a ladder out of their black pit.

I’m a technophobe - how exactly does this work?

Listening to a webinar (an internet and phone seminar simulcast) is like listening to a radio broadcast.

Graeme calls a number in the US and then you are able to listen to his broadcast either via phone or through the speakers on your computer (if you are connected to the internet). You also receive a Learning Guide by email to follow during the seminar.

This is how it works:

You input your name and email address on the form below (this is totally confidential and your details won’t be disclosed to anyone).
You will then receive an email to confirm your registration.
On the day of the seminar you will be sent a reminder email which will provide a hyperlink to access the seminar if you are listening by computer and a phone number to call if you are listening by phone.
You will also be sent a Learning Guide which is yours to keep and follow as I go through the seminar.
At 7.55pm Sydney time you go to the email you received that day and click the hyperlink if you are listening by computer. This will take you to a listening page. You click the play button and you will be able to hear me.
If you are listening by phone the email will contain a phone number for you to call. You then put in an access code (which will be on the email) and you will be able to hear me.
I will present for about 45 minutes and then open it to questions. If you are listening by computer there is a question form on the listening page which is sent to me in real time. If you are listening by phone you will be able to ask me questions directly.
You won’t be able to see me in my singlet, shorts, and thongs, as there is no camera involved. This is good for you and me. You do need to print out the Learning Guide so that you can follow that.

THIS PROCESS SOUNDS INVOLVED BUT ONCE YOU TRY IT YOU WON’T BELIEVE HOW EASY IT IS

If a technophobe like me can learn to be a Rupert Murdoch, you’ll find it a cinch to listen in and ask questions.

“ I think that GP's and counsellers need to know to refer their clients to listen to this series. I wish I had known this information a long time ago” Jenny NZ

What do people say about these webinars?

“I cannot tell you what a breakthrough it was for my son when we listened to the seminars together – him from Brisbane and I in Sydney. He has taken action on your 7 strategies and I can’t believe the difference it has made. He is now much more physically active and once again seeing his friends. I think it made a real difference hearing your recommended strategies from you knowing that you have experienced the worst depression and overcome it. Thank you so much.”
Susan, NSW

“The information really improved my understanding and awareness and has given me hope in working towards a brighter future.”
Kerry, SA, Caregiver

“I found the use of the computer great! I could put my headphones on and listen in, even when other people were making phone calls in the same room.”
Shane, NSW, caregiver

“I have listened to tonight’s session with my 21 year old son - we are not out of the woods at all but listening together to your voice and your stories and advice is calming and helpful. It has been great having these Tuesday evening sessions to tune into and realise there are other people coping with similar situations.”
Sarah, NSW

What I Learned As a Lifeline Telephone Counsellor from the Seminar Series

Participating in this series of seminars has been very beneficial to me as a Lifeline Telephone Counsellor. I had previously read Graeme’s book, Back from the Brink and had attended counsellor development sessions at the H2H office about depression. The seminars opened my eyes to the organisations that are there to assist, I have been to the websites of Beyond Blue & Black Dog and really had a “very good look” at the services and information they provide. I was encouraged to learn that recovery is “so possible” and that the depressed person can be empowered to chart his/her own recovery. I understand that the process of recovery is often over a long period of time,(and that a relapse is a real possibility), but with support and determination it is achievable.

I was heartened to learn of the seven strategies for recovery and that medication (an important and often necessary tool) was not placed first & foremost.

The importance of finding a mental health professional that really understands you and your depression was stressed (so many of the callers I listen to do not have a good relationship with their practitioner).

The role of the carer was an interesting aspect of the seminars. We tend to think they are there for the person suffering from depression, through thick and thin, with little regard for their support networks and their release valves.

I am more aware of the importance of carers taking time out and keeping themselves fit & healthy so they can assist the sufferer in a calm & positive way and thus being able to go the distance with their loved one.

The person suffering from depression (as well as carers) should be encouraged to utilise a variety of support networks in order to give balance and different perspectives to his/her recovery.
In my role as a TC I listen to many people who are at the end of their tether, who have given up all hope and just want the pain and suffering to end. It is timely to read & listen to stories of people overcoming their depression and to realise that there is hope that recovery is possible.

As I go on my TC shift now I feel more confident of being able to provide some helpful information for callers suffering from depression.

I feel I have a fuller understanding of their illness and the daily difficulties they encounter.
I have made an easy all–in-one list of the websites you mentioned throughout the series which I take on shift with me (those for social contact/work/daily chores/support groups for carers)

What I Think LifeLine Callers Would Get out of The Series

I think many of the LifeLine callers would benefit from this series of seminars.

In saying that, I feel that many of the severely depressed people I listen to may not be capable of accessing this information at their time of call to LifeLine, however, further on down the track this may be a possibility. I feel this information would be extremely beneficial for the carers of people with depression and would help empower them to look after themselves and develop helpful strategies that would enable them to keep themselves safe and support the person with depression.

Carers could put the depressed person in contact with helpful support groups such as Grow, and access the many helpful networks for themselves. Many of the depressed callers to LifeLine do not have support in the form of family & friends so suggesting they contact compeer or Grow might be beneficial in filling the support gap.
The fact that the seminar gives all the important information in the one spot, rather than having to wade through the net & various publications makes these seminars easily accessible and “user friendly”. This would mean less stress for the carer, resulting in a positive outcome for all concerned.

Might I suggest you get your service included on the Just Look data base we access as TC’s, which would mean LifeLine TC’s could recommend the service to our callers.
All the best for the continuing series,

Penny Drane
Telephone Counsellor, Lifeline
Harbour to Hawkesbury, NSW

“Just wanted to let you know that Dee Why Grow members got a lot out of your talk on Tuesday night. Seven of us went to the library and listened in, many members got on to the internet when they got home and accessed the sites you noted on the paper. One lady was retrenched after nine years employment on Tuesday and signed up to do volunteer work when she returned home from the websites you listed. I phoned her yesterday and she was travelling well, instead of looking on the loss as a tragedy she took it as an opportunity for new changes in her life. She couldn’t get over how timely your talk was to her situation - synchronicity. Graeme, thanks again - you're doing great things with your recovery.”
Alan, NSW

"Hi Graeme ~ and what other word is there but *WOW* for all the responses to the guilt question!
Thank you for sending them all to me. I do check out your blog on the website from time to time, so hope everyone is able to copy their responses there.
They certainly are helpful and for many people.

I have forwarded the information about the seminar to quite a few people. Already I have had positive feedback from one friend who will definitely register & several who are thinking seriously of doing so. I put my own little bit in about how wonderful & positive the seminar was for me, especially after starting to work on the 7 strategies. Do you know how much better I feel than 4 or 5 weeks ago?"
Jenny, VIC

YOUR PRESENTER
Graeme Cowan went through a severe episode of depression between 2000-2005 which his psychiatrist described as the worst he has treated. He then wrote the “BACK FROM THE BRINK” book series which has sold over 23,000 copies. He has personally interviewed over 1000 people with depression and their caregivers on what works best in overcoming/managing depression. The seminar series is based on extensive research into effective treatments, getting the right professional help, staying well and building a sustainable support network. He has countless emails and cards testifying to the effectiveness of his advice.