The Brighton and Hove Depression Self-Help Group is a new non-therapeutic support group for people with depression and those who are affected by it. Meetings will be held at the Phoenix Community Centre (the old Phoenix Brewery building), Phoenix Place, Brighton, BN2 9ND. The Community Centre is situated behind the Phoenix Art Gallery.

Statistically one in five people will be affected by depression during their life. There is no cure for this illness, which can be very debilitating and affect every aspect of a person's life. Some very good treatments and therapies are available to those people who have been referred to the Mental Health Team. However for the majority of people with depression very little support is available other than anti-depressants prescribed by their GP. The support group meetings will provide a free, safe and confidential environment for the discussion of the effects of depression of an individual and anyone who is affected by someone that is depressed.

The primary aim of this group is to promote self-help by understanding how depression can affect a person as follows, withdrawn, isolated, feeling no one understands them or feeling worthless. By sharing experiences and feeling with others, a level of understanding can be built upon which may lead to a method of coping with depression a little better than before. Everyone involved with this group has some personal experience of depression. We were brought together through contact with Depression Alliance - a national, London-based organisation. Although we are an independent group now, we have access to substantial information and support from them. Anyone who is interested in attending future meetings, please phone Eddie Brown on 01273 705 950.

Orange and Blue Badges
For those of you who have Orange and Blue Badges, remember to take them out of your car when you get home (as long as you are not parked on a public road but on your own private forecourt, driveway or garage). Don't leave them in your car or someone may help themselves to them! Just think of the trouble and inconvenience it will cause you if they go missing. BEWARE! - Take them with you so they don't get stolen.