6 useful sources of depression help online

What you need to know before getting online depression counselling

I can only imagine how depressed you must be feeling. The good news is you’re already on the way up by looking for help online for your depression. And I applaud your decision to look for it. It means you’ve decided that something needs to change.

What do I know?

I’m a qualified counsellor/therapist with 24 years of experience counselling people with mental health and relationship problems in various professional settings. See my About Page (opens in a new tab).

Why you’re already on your way beating that depression

Simply by being here, you’re already on your way to getting rid of that depression. You’re taking action! Chances are you’ve been suffering from depression for far too long.

Maybe friends and family have started to worry about your mental health. Perhaps they’ve suggested you get some counselling.

Maybe medication has come into the picture – and you don’t want to start taking it, or you’ve given up on it because it hasn’t worked for you. Medication as a treatment for depression is fraught with difficulties.

So let’s look at what other sources of online help for depression there are.

6 sources of depression help online

A quick internet search will bring up hundreds – if not thousands – of websites geared towards helping people with depression. Much of the freely available help is offered by people who have depression themselves.

So, let’s look at the different sites you might come across.

1. Depression forums

An online forum is essentially a discussion space. You can read other people’s questions, comments and discussions and post your own. Some forums are open, meaning you don’t need to sign up or in. Others are for members only; you’ll need an account (usually free) to read message boards and join in.

Pros

Depression forums can be really helpful. You might be really fortunate and find like-minded people who understand what you’re going through. Fellow sufferers, those who’ve recovered, and other kind-hearted people freely offer their time to support people like you.

• Being part of a community fulfils an essential emotional human need link. By sharing your feelings and problems and interacting with other people, you’re less likely to feel alone with it all. It can be a huge relief to finally get things off your chest and talk to people who really get it.
• You may also be able to offer some support to others in return. That in itself can be healing, helping you focus outward rather than inward.
• Joining and participating in a depression forum can help you start the road to recovery when you’re on a waiting list for counselling, have no access, or can’t afford therapy.
• A specific outlet for your emotions can assist in reducing the pressure your partner or other loved ones may feel by supporting you.

Cons

• Forums are overseen by moderators who step in where necessary if people don’t keep to the rules. But, moderators often haven’t had any training and are unlikely to be professionals.
• Things can go awry regardless of how hard the moderators work to keep the forums running smoothly. You might receive or read unhelpful, inflammatory or just downright abusive comments. Whilst commenters are only too willing to help, they could inadvertently make matters worse for you because they might…
• … give (accidentally) unhelpful or negative advice;
• … not really listen to what you’re saying, thereby not really getting your particular situation
• … be argumentative or too forceful with their own opinions
• … be less than empathetic in general.
• Also, forums are split up into different subject areas. Sometimes, just running your eye over the lists with subject lines can be enough to worsen your mood.
• Your request for help may not be answered, which can leave you feeling ignored and ‘not worth’ for someone to reach out to you
• Your forum participation can inadvertently keep you focused on the depression rather than on ways to heal and move on with your life.

My recommendation

I do see there’s a use for forums – but only for some people. It is a decision for you to make with care. And be prepared for the shock when you see the list of subjects!

So, if you’d like to explore this avenue of online depression help, I recommend that you start slowly and keep your eyes open.

‘Lurk’ for a couple of weeks to get a feel for the place.

Then, if you get a good feeling from the other members and their types of chat, share just a little to test the waters. If all goes well, as your confidence builds, share more, and ask for the help you need.

2. General online depression support groups, listening and chat services

Often, organised support groups and listening/chat services are set up and run by charities.

If all of their services are free, they’ll be funded by donations – the same with any charity. Or, they might offer some paid-for services to subsidise others.

Pros

The biggest pro for these groups is that they may be run by professional (licensed) counsellors or therapists. That means, of course, you’ll be able to access help from people specifically trained to help those with depression. (Or other mental health difficulties, for that matter.) 

Many charities are staffed by volunteers. In that case, the pros of this kind of online depression help are similar to those listed for forums.

Cons

Organisations that can offer for free the services of fully trained professionals are much harder to come by. You’re more likely to connect with a volunteer, which isn’t a bad thing in itself.

But, the training of volunteers isn’t necessarily very well regulated. That means there’s a risk that under-prepared volunteers may approach supporting people with depression in less than helpful ways.

Some volunteer because of how it makes them feel, rather than with a genuine desire to help others. So, there’s no guarantee you’re chatting to someone who puts your best interests ahead of their own!

My recommendations

If non-profit or paid groups appeal to you, then have a good look around to find one that best suit your needs.

If you choose a largely voluntary group, find out if the support workers have received any training and how they are supervised and supported.

3. Listening (chat) services or forums for people with specific problems and needs

Your depression may result from a specific problem or set of problems you’re experiencing at the moment. So, it makes sense to seek help that addresses those problems.

Pros

There are great listening or chat services for all kinds of specific issues. Examples are organisations for:

• Supporting carers
• Dealing with dementia
• Coping with serious childhood illness
• Managing specific (mental) health problems
• Supporting those who are struggling to conceive
• Dealing with workplace bullying
• Managing anxiety/panic disorders, etc.

The list could go on!

These groups offer more targeted help from professionals or (trained) volunteers. Because the groups deal with specific issues, these helpers are more likely to be able to relate to your distinct situation or problem. That can make it easier for you to find support and help that resonates with how you’re feeling.

Cons and my recommendations

The same as for general support groups and listening/chat services (see above).

PsychCentral has published an excellent list of depression forums (opens in a new tab).

4. Websites run by fellow sufferers

Search for depression blogs, and you’ll find plenty to read online! Many people share their stories to help others who may be fighting similar battles.

Pros

Reading about other people’s experiences can help you to feel less alone, particularly if their suffering was (or is) very similar to yours.

Discovering you’re not the odd one out can be a huge relief.

People who’ve had depression know only too well how the experience was for them, giving them a deeper understanding.

They might also have educated themselves about depression in general, including various treatments, natural remedies, etc. You might be able to pick up useful hints, tips and advice to try for yourself.

Cons

Websites or blogs written by individuals who aren’t trained mental health professionals are likely to be heavily biased toward their own experiences. 

How they felt, what they did and what made them get better worked for them, but it might not work for anyone else and can even make matters worse.

My recommendation

By all means, read as much as you want to about other people’s experiences of depression. But take care of yourself as you do so. If you find the tone too negative, that’s more likely to bring you down than help you get better! And always remember that the information is (usually) given from a layman’s perspective. So don’t assume that everything you read is correct or is what you have to do to get better yourself.

5. Websites run by qualified counsellors or therapists

That’s where you are right now :-) So, with my website in mind…

Pros

As you can see, I have several articles on depression with tons of freely available online depression help and advice. I’m a qualified and experienced therapist (retired), so the information you find here is rooted in best practice.

Sites run by qualified counsellors can offer a wealth of practical, valuable and honest information – the bulk of which is free. If you came to see me in person, I’d support you in the ways I explain right here on my site.

So although it’s not a two-way conversation, professional sites can be a useful alternative or addition to accessing paid, in-person therapy or online depression counselling.

Cons

As I mentioned, websites like mine can’t create a two-way conversation. So, although there’s a ton of advice, you’ll need to adapt it to fit your situation. And that may be tricky when you’re feeling below par anyway.

Also, there are costs associated with running a website.

That means owners (like me) have to build ways of earning an income.

I can’t vouch for other sites, but I promise you that I have personally and with integrity carefully vetted the paid services and products on my site.

My recommendation

Check out the author of the online depression help articles to judge for yourself how trustworthy their information is. Visit their About page to get to know them and learn about their training and experience.

And needless to say, you’re free to ignore any option to buy promoted products or services.

See also:

• All my articles on depression
• All my articles on anxiety
• All my articles on trauma

6. Paid online depression counselling services

In the past, the only way you could get counselling or therapy was by visiting someone’s office. Now there are more and more websites and apps that offer online (depression) counselling. Hugely convenient, but how do you choose?

If you’re considering getting professional depression help online, I can now recommend Online-Therapy. 

Pros

Online help for depression (chat, email, video) – therapy or counselling – is so much more flexible and convenient. You don’t have to travel, and it’s easy to fit in with personal situations and daily life.

• A registered or licensed therapist can help you beat any anxiety and depression, guide you through grief and loss, and help you with stress management and substance abuse.
• They’ll help you to improve your overall mental well-being. 
• They will refer you if you need medical advice and diagnosis.
• They’ll be happy to discuss any other treatment options.

If you don’t gel with your online therapist, it’s much easier to change than when you’re seeing someone in person.

Cons

The cost may, of course, be an issue if you’re already struggling financially. In that case, do choose one of the other options to get you on your way to beating that depression!

Also, as with everything in the virtual world, you’ll miss out on the benefits of being physically present with another human being and developing a professional relationship that way.

My recommendation

If you’re depressed right now and you can afford professional help, I recommend you get in touch with an online, registered or licensed therapist (opens in a new tab to Online Therapy). For further information, see my article on online depression counselling.

To build your confidence, I have a list of questions you may want to ask if you’re nervous about launching yourself into sharing your troubles.

Questions you may want to ask your counsellor

After you’ve signed up, you’ll get matched with your therapist, and you can begin your journey to recovery.

It’s absolutely okay to start with all that’s troubling you. But, if you’re hesitant, you could start with some general questions to help you understand what’s on offer. (That is if you haven’t already gleaned that from the website.)

• How often can I contact you?
• Is it okay if I contact you on…?
• How long will it be before I can expect a reply?
• What happens if I want to stop for a while?
• Can we schedule sessions?
• What is the maximum length of a session?
• What if, unexpectedly, I’m unable to make it in time for an online appointment?
• What happens if I want to include my partner?

Asking some of these questions will help you build your confidence.

Finally

As you can see, there is a wealth of online help for depression to explore. I hope you’ll find it easier now to choose the type of support and treatment that would suit you best.

Lastly, having been a therapist for 24 years, I can guarantee you that you’re far stronger and more resilient than you probably give yourself credit for. Know that this will pass too. You’ve already made a start in getting rid of that depression!