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Worried About an Adult in Your Life?

If an adult you care about is struggling, you can help! Our educational resources help you learn about mood disorders and what you can do to be supportive.

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Worried About a Teen in Your Life?

Is your teen showing signs of a mental health condition? With our webinars and teen-focused resources, you can learn to identify teen anxiety or depression and how to get them help.

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Stressed? Take Our Test for Results and Resources

While you are caring for others, you might be neglecting your own well-being. Our stress test measures your level of stress – and gives you resources to help reduce and manage it.

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Are You a Caregiver?

If you’re providing emotional, logistical, or other support to a person living with depression or bipolar disorder, you’re a caregiver. Tap into our wealth of information so you can help others and stay well in the process.

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We Help Families

Through webinars, workshops, videos, publications, this website, and more, we help caregivers feel equipped and confident to support their loved ones on the path to mental wellness.

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Support Our Mission

We are dedicated to serving the needs of family caregivers...

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Welcome to Families for Depression Awareness

Families for Depression Awareness helps families recognize and cope with depression and bipolar disorder to get people well and prevent suicides 

What is a mood disorder?

“Mood disorders” is a category of mental health conditions that includes all the forms of depression, such as major depressive disorder, postpartum depression, bipolar disorder I and II, and dysthymia. In the U.S. alone, 1 in 5 adults experiences an episode of depression in their lifetime. More than 7 million adults live with bipolar disorder. And between 3 and 4 million teens experience depression every year.

To learn more about how mood disorders affect individuals and families, read our publications.

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Depression

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Bipolar Disorder

What Do You Need Help With?

Knowing if I’m a “caregiver”
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Knowing if I’m a “caregiver”

Your support of a person living with depression or bipolar disorder can make a huge difference and help them on the path to wellness. Learn what’s involved in being an effective caregiver.

Knowing my role
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Knowing my role

There are lots of things you can do to support your loved one. It can be hard to know when you are helping too much or not enough.

Keeping my own stress level down
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Keeping my own stress level down

You can’t pour from an empty glass! You have to take care of yourself if you are going to help anyone else.

Finding a therapist or prescriber
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Finding a therapist or prescriber

Finding care can be a trial and error process. There are some steps you can take to make the process easier

Managing a Crisis Situation
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Managing a Crisis Situation

If your loved one is considering suicide, you need to act quickly. Learn what to look for and how you can help them.

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Mood disorders are among the most prevalent mental health conditions, affecting about 20% of people over their lifetime. Depression and bipolar disorder are contributing factors in most suicides. Accessing effective treatment and having the caring support of a family member or friend can mean the difference between a person who gets well and one who dies by suicide.

 

In the United States:

M

The number of people who experience a mood disorder in a year

Average hours per week mental health caregivers of adults spend assisting their loved ones

Average delay in years between when symptoms of mental illness appear and treatment begins

Percentage of people treated for depression who start getting better within 4 to 6 weeks

Want to help a loved one? We’ve got what you need to know!

Is someone you love struggling with depression or bipolar disorder and you’re not sure what to do? You’ve come to the right place. Explore our website and resources to find information and strategies to help your loved one get well and stay well.

GET EDUCATED

Our webinars, videos, website, and publications help you build the skills and confidence to be an effective support for your loved one.

GET INVOLVED

Families for Depression Awareness appreciates the volunteers and donors who generously support our mission. You can move us toward a world where people are not afraid to ask for help and where families can stay united as they face life with depression or bipolar disorder.

GET HELP IMMEDIATELY

If your loved one is actively considering suicide or is an imminent risk to self or others, contact crisis support at 800-273-8255 or text

LISTEN to 741741.