If you are depressed, do the following:

Educate Yourself:

Kaiser's one session Depression Overview Class in Health Education (833-3450)

Kaiser's multi-session Overcoming Your Depression - Skills Program in Health Education

Get Treatment:

Depression Therapy Groups in Psychiatry 833-2292

Antidepressant Medication in Psychiatry

Take Care of Yourself:

Helping yourself is an important part of the overall treatment for depression. Remember to S-P-E-A-K U-P:

Schedule. Set regular times for sleeping, eating, personal hygiene, work or

other important activities.

Pleasant activities. Increase pleasurable activities: call a friend, watch a

favorite video, spend time in your garden, work on a hobby, play with

your pet; do anything you enjoy.

Exercise. Research suggests regular exercise may help lift your mood, reduce

tension, and raise your energy level. Even just a little can help.

Avoid alcohol and drugs. Alcohol and drug use can make depression worse,

disrupt your sleep, and interfere with antidepressant medications.

Kind thoughts. Have compassion for yourself. Avoid taking on too much or being

hard on yourself.

Unwind. Take time to relax. Set aside a few minutes, several times a week to

let go of your worries. You can learn deep breathing, progressive

muscle relaxation, or visualization to help.

Practice assertiveness. Speak up for what you need.