A message board or an online forum is a discussion site where people can discuss various topics through posted messages, whereas an online chat room provides a venue for people who are bounded by their interest to communicate. These venues are gaining popularity among depressed people. In fact, there are many online depression chat rooms and forums that focus on this subject.

These online communities do not dwell on depression alone, but also talk about other depression-related concerns, such as possible antidepressants’ adverse effects, alternative drugs to antidepressants that are effective and ways of dealing of someone who suffers from depression.

A list is presented here, along with information, of various online forums and depression chat rooms that can be used as a guide by individuals with depression.

• Depressed Anonymous’ website, depressedanon.com, is offering a program for depression support groups, conferences, newsletter, workshops, seminars and phone support.
• The website of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance located at DBSAlliance.org provides support and information to people with depression and manic-depression and also their families.
• The website, mdsg.org, of Mood Disorder Support Group Inc. has newsletter, support and aid to people with manic-depression.
• The Postpartum Support International campaigns for the establishment of support groups to guide women with postpartum depression. (postpartum.net)
• The Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association offers aid to various self-help groups, phone support and other information resources, through drada.org.
• The website, manicdepressiveanon.org,Manic Depressive Anonymous designs a program for people with bipolar disorder for them to recover from their condition.
• The Rose and Thorns Group aims to support people with personality and mood disorders.
• The website, walkers.org, offers mailing lists concerning mood disorders.
• The Phoenix Depression Chat caters to people with depression to allow them to communicate with others and to give and receive support for their condition.
• Teen Moods is a website that was started by a teenager with depression and is found at teen-moods.net.

Depression hurts but there is no need to suffer in silence. A person who struggles with depression is best served with professional treatment, family or friend support and online support.