Men and Depression

Sites Specially for Men

Two Herculean one-man efforts:
The Black Dog A large site from Ireland, designed especially for men with mental illness. A place for a quiet "time out" is provided at The Cave. (Requires Flash.)  There is a "black hole" email form as well where you can rant safely.
MaleDepression.com: Its "sister site" in the United States. 

Links to useful Australian sites

Projects of St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney:
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression.
Clinical Management And Treatment Education.

From a list provided by Rotary International in Australia, who are conducting and funding ongoing research into mental illness in Australia:

BeyondBlue - The site for the Australian 'beyondblue' national depression initiative.
Mental Health in Australia - This site provides information about mental illness.
HealthInsite -This site provides a listing of Australian-only health sites that have been assessed as credible by the Department of Health and Aged Care.
The Black Dog Institute (Australian) Researching depression and bipolar disorder.
BluePages - Developed by the Centre for Mental Health Research (ANU, Canberra) and the CSIRO Division of Mathematical and Information Sciences, this site is designed to provide information about depression.
The MoodGYM - An internet-based CBT (cognitive therapy) intervention developed by the Centre for Mental Health Research (ANU, Canberra), based on Cognitive Therapy. Now has an international reputation. (Requires Flash.)
Mental Illness Education Australia - A mental health awareness program for schools.
Schizophrenia Fellowship, NSW : Depression and schizophrenia were regarded as quite distinct illnesses, but this is now being questioned.
Dr. Ivan's Depression Central, as this site is called, aims to operate as a 'clearing house' for information about major depression, bipolar disorder, cyclothymia, dysthymia and other mood disorders and their effective treatment.
Internet Mental Health - This site aims to improve understanding, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, and to provide information about effective well-researched treatments.
The online 'Dictionary of Mental Health' - This site also provides links to other sites that enlarge on topics discussed.
DepressioNet aims to be a one-stop depression information resource and community for Australians. This site also includes information about new research and opportunities to contribute to this research.
www.sane.org - This website is run by SANE, an Australian charity helping people affected by mental illness through lobbying, education and research. It offers an information and referral service.
Fyreniyce - refers to itself as 'the Australian Bipolar Website'. This site is dedicated to those who suffer from bipolar disorder and offers a virtual community.
Depression and Mood Disorders Association of NSW - Its objective is to inform and help people with bipolar disorder, depression or mood disorders and their families and friends. Its Web site no longer exists.  Phone contact: (02) 9816 5688.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance - aims to educate that all depressive and manic-depressive illness are treatable medical diseases, as well as foster self help, improve access to care, and advocate for research to eliminate these illnesses.

Google Groups lists several newsgroups in the series alt.support.depression. Find one you are comfortable with - being with fellow-sufferers eases the loneliness.  If you have a newsgroup reader (OE will do), you can follow a group that way. Or you can join a Web 2 forum such as DepressioNet (above.)

I'm not crazy, I have an illness recognized by the medical profession.
- A sufferer.