I FEEL that depression should be everybody's business, as many people suffer with this in silence.

If you look around you, I am sure you will know of someone who suffers from it, and so many people are afraid to ask for help due to stigmas associated with it.

My daughter was struck with depression and suddenly the illness became my business, my mother's business and her friends' business.

I nearly lost her to this, and it was all about the constant put-downs she received at school.

From being a high achiever at school, she ended up quitting, and it probably saved her life.

We parents would like to see our children become scholars, but when I was emphasising the importance of school, I didn't realise I was pushing her too far.

My concern is: are we really dealing with bullying or are we just advertising the deaths it has caused.

I believe a subject on "mental health and staying well" should be introduced at schools, as it is as equally important as basic subjects such as maths.

Veronica Christie, address withheld.

Side-effects concerns

MIRANDA'S column on mental health was both inspirational and spine-chilling "Mind your own business", (Weekly Times, October 7).

Firstly, credit where credit's due to Miranda, who took it upon herself to be of help to others, where it is so desperately needed in our community.

The article was also informative, we are all so unaware of such despair that is constantly felt by our neighbours and families.

I firmly believe that a lot of desperation and anxiety comes from the side effects of some drugs prescribed by doctors, when people innocently go for help, to try to get through a crisis they are dealing with at the time.

This comes from first-hand knowledge, after having to deal with my husband who had a massive heart attack at the age of 46 years.

Not only was it a complete shock to his lifestyle and his manhood, but he also had to deal with a medical profession who just wanted to shove one pill after another into his sensitive system.

This in turn caused one bad reaction after another.

His state of mind was in turmoil: "Will I die if I don't take this medication?" The doctors were of no help - if they can't fix you with a pill, they don't know what to do with you!

I was asked if he was "losing the plot" yet?

Or "do you think he needs to see a shrink?".

Our GP said: "Here you go, just give him some of these pills, they will calm him down."

After many, many months seeing my husband as a zombie, just sitting on the porch, watching the world go by, we decided to try some alternate therapies, such as meditation and healing crystals, as well as many natural concoctions guided by a naturopath and holistic healing.

We decided to help ourselves as no one else seemed to have the right answers for us.

I believe the depression, anxiety, psychotic and anxious state of mind and suicidal tendencies were all due to the side effects of benzodiazepines.

They are not the type of drugs to be given for a long period of time - anything over two weeks is classed long enough by the doctors.

Once you start to remove them from your system, it's like watching someone go through the DTs.

I could write a novel on this experience, but we just want to look forward, and try to forget what we have been through.

We are now three years down the track, still withdrawing from some fairly serious mind-altering medications, using slow and steady steps.

My husband is starting to feel strong enough in his mind now to attempt jobs that were just second nature to him prior to his illness.

I believe we are getting there!

Ros Hayman, Bannockburn, Victoria