Mental health clinics held

More than 19 million people in the United State suffer from depression annually. Many factors can lead to depression including unrealistic goals, financial stress, family expectations, and change of schedule or eating habits. According to Neil Nedley, MD, a few lifestyle changes may be all you need to break free of the trap of depression.

For eight consecutive weeks, Sean Day, a graduate of Walla Walla College with degrees in psychology and speech communication, will be hosting the Nedley Depression Recovery Program on DVD. Nedley put the program together from his 20 plus years of research and clinical experience.

“Basically, Nedley looks at what he calls the ten hit categories or the ten things that happen to the brain that can cause depression,” Day said. “According to Nedley, our brains are so resilient that it takes four hits before we are likely to become depressed. So we can handle three, but once that fourth one comes, we tend to spiral out of control.”

Day said that the different hits are divided into different categories and that once a person knows what those are they can eliminate them from their lives. The ten hit categories assigned by Nedley are genetic, developmental, lifestyle, circadian rhythm, addiction, nutrition, toxic, social and or complicated stress or grief, medical condition and frontal lobe.

Within each category are different hits or things that can lead to depression. For example, within the developmental category, Nedley lists not being raised by both biological parents and history of alcohol and drug abuse as a teenager.

Day said that the approach Nedley uses is a holistic approach.

“People that have depression a lot think that they have to be on a certain type of drug when in truth when we start giving the body what it needs such as exercise and sunshine these symptoms may go away,” Day said. “It’s a real practical approach that’s puts control in people’s hands. It’s an empowering method of fighting depression.”

Day cautioned though that this course is not a substitute for a patient-doctor relationship. However, he expressed that it was a way for individuals to learn more about the condition.

“This course if for just about anybody that has depression or for those who know someone with depression and want to learn more,” Day said.

Day said that this is the second time that the course is being put on as he taught it back in February of this year. He said that back in February there was a good turnout and people found success in the class.

“People came away from the class feeling recharged and they understood that it wasn’t outside of their hands to do something,” Day said.

Day said that during the class they will be watching the DVDs as well as keeping weekly track sheets on their progress. The class has textbook materials as well and Day said they’ll be keeping track of how much sleep they get, what exercise they get and nutritional things as well to educate people. Those attending will learn how to establish and maintain a strong exercise program, understand depression, eliminate negative patterns of body and mind, develop healthy eating patterns and get more out of the day by enhancing brain functions.

“Dr. Nedley will show better ways to combat depression—how to know what you can change and what you can’t, the importance of minimizing drug medicine use and how to make use of effective natural therapies,” Day said.

Group discussions will also be a part of the course, which Day believes will offer support.

“It’s going to be real hands-on,” Day said. “People are going to be able to share and somebody else will be able to say this is what helped me. The class is not a miracle pill, but something to work at.”

Day said that he wants to encourage people to come out and to not be hesitant to do so.

“Depression carries somewhat of a stigma with it and people can be hesitant to come because they don’t want to be labeled as they think it’s saying something about their character,” Day said. “Depression doesn’t have anything to do with someone’s character. It’s a medical condition and it needs to be treated. I would just encourage people to come and check it out and see if this class fits them.”

The classes are at 6 p.m. and will be hosted by Day on Mondays, Oct. 11 through Dec. 6 at the Western Montana Mental Health Center on the corner of 4th and Brooklyn in Superior. For questions and more information, contact Day at 822-4400.