New Safe-haven for Mental Illness Online

By Lindsay Braun, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Facing the world can seem like an impossible fear for some who are suffering from mental illnesses. Now, patients who suffer from depression and bipolar disorder have a new way to find relief without leaving the comfort of their home office.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has unveiled FacingUs.org, a website with interactive features aimed at providing aid for people who suffer from depression and bipolar disorder.

“This is a new really interesting way that patients can do things to help themselves in the confidentiality of their own home,” Gloria Pope, spokesperson for the DBSA, told Ivanhoe.

Properly diagnosing mental health conditions is often difficult because of the stigma placed around mental illness. Pope says the DBSA is hopeful that FacingUs.org will help open some doors that will lead to avenues for diagnosis. “Something like this, that’s confidential, and they can go in and use a self-screener, then they can print it out and take it to their physician to help them start the dialogue,” Pope said.

Besides taking the self-screening test, anyone visiting the website can write in a personal online journal, create a wellness plan or browse a media room to find music and videos. Pope says all the features of the website aim to accomplish one larger goal. “We look at a four pronged approach to wellness. One is medication, one is talk therapy, one is a peer-support group and the fourth thing is to create a wellness plan,” said Pope.

DBSA advises anyone who thinks they may have a mental illness to seek professional medical help, and use tools like FacingUs.org as a supplementary treatment.

“People with the right treatment can really lead productive lives. They can have families, children and steady jobs, but they need treatment. That’s one of the things this site is encouraging,” said Pope.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Gloria Pope

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