Chad Allen Online: The Official Fan Site

Depression

For many years Chad has fought to overcome depression. After many years he's has made wonderful progress. In recent years he's reached out to help others through a series of discussion panels across the country. Because of the press from those events many of his fans have sought help at this site. In order to meet their need Chad Allen Online working in conjunction with Chad has created this site with useful links and information.

Depression is a silent killer, a problem we often don't recognize or talk about. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. But underreporting is widespread. Death is often attributed to another cause where that is plausible. Clinical depression invariably is part of the reason behind suicide.

Here are some useful links and resources:

Larry King Live Transcript
Understanding Depression
Depression and Mental Heath
A Community’s Taboo Illness
Let's Talk About It: Depression
Trevor Project - 1-866-4-U-Trevor (1-866-488-7387) - 24 hours 7 days a week
The Gay & Lesbian National Hotline - 1-888-THE-GLNH (1-888-843-4564) - Mon.-Fri. 4pm-midnight and Sat. noon- 5pm
National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association Support Group Locator- 1-800-826-3632 - Monday through Friday 8:30 am-5pm call for resources
National Foundation for Depressive Illness - 1-800-239-1265 - 24 hours call for resources

The National Hopeline Network - 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) - provides access to trained telephone counselors, 24 hours 7 days a week

ALLEN: I never made what would classically be defined as a suicide attempt. My sister -- I have a twin sister -- she made several very real suicide attempts. However, I am familiar with what it feels like to feel suicidal, to want to die, to not be able to wake up in the morning and feel like I can't lift up my head, I can't get out of the house today. What am I going to do?

KING: How long does this go back?

ALLEN: You know, I first started -- since probably 12, 14 years old. I also started drinking alcohol and using drugs right about the same time. So for me, that was my first -- my first sort of coping mechanism I used. And when I finally got sober when I was 24 years old, I finally felt what it was I was hiding from. First, it was anxiety, which is kind of the evil twin sister of depression, and then those feelings of absolute just despair and sorrow, you know, I can't get out of here today, what am I going to do? More