Finding my “tribe” over the last 9 months has been the highlight of the last few years spent in the wilderness trying but being unable to connect emotionally and spiritually with those I met. There have been a few exceptions, and they know who they are, and to them I am eternally grateful for sticking by me and accepting me for who I am. Thank you.

I am emerging from that wilderness day by day and since being open and honest about my depression I have come to meet and speak with and write to many, many like-minded people I never knew existed.  I was too afraid to seek them out for fear of rejection and there are very few people who are prepared to stand up and wave a red flag to advertise that they have mental illness. So where do we all hide and where can we be found?

Through a new role at work, Facebook, Blogging and working with mental health organisations I have come to enjoy a daily commune with my new friends, most of whom suffer with depression and are at various stages of recovery. I can’t remember what I used to do with the time now spent in helping and encouraging others to get through the day, hopefully showing them that there is a good, worthwhile life that can be had even if it means taking the “Black Dog” along for the ride. But what I do know is that it is time well spent. The rewards are beyond my expectations and if one person has a better day because of what I have written, I’m happy.