Newsgroups Main » Newsgroups Directory » Health, Support and Recovery » Support » Depression

Crisis ( soc.support.depression.crisis )

From [email protected] Mon Jul 24 18:08:35 1995 Path: uunet!in1.uu.net!bounce-back From: [email protected] (John M. Grohol) Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups,alt.support.depression,alt.support.depression.manic,alt.support.depression.seasonal,alt.support,sci.psychology.misc,sci.psychology.announce Subject: RFD: soc.support.depression.* Followup-To: news.groups Date: 19 Jul 1995 17:52:53 -0400 Organization: nova.edu Lines: 282 Sender: [email protected] Approved: [email protected] Message-ID: <[email protected]> NNTP-Posting-Host: rodan.uu.net Xref: uunet news.announce.newgroups:7174 news.groups:160221 alt.support.depression:44511 alt.support.depression.manic:940 alt.support.depression.seasonal:166 alt.support:8671 sci.psychology.misc:338 sci.psychology.announce:37                       REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION (RFD)            unmoderated group soc.support.depression.crisis            unmoderated group soc.support.depression.family             unmoderated group soc.support.depression.manic             unmoderated group soc.support.depression.misc           unmoderated group soc.support.depression.seasonal           unmoderated group soc.support.depression.treatment     Note:  Discussion on this RFD should occur only           in news.groups, as the Guidelines suggest.  Summary: ------- The following new newsgroups are proposed in this RFD:    soc.support.depression.crisis     Personal crisis situations.   soc.support.depression.family     Coping with depressed people.   soc.support.depression.manic      Bipolar/manic-depression.   soc.support.depression.misc       Depression and mood disorders.   soc.support.depression.seasonal   Seasonal affective disorder.   soc.support.depression.treatment  Treatments of depression.   Introduction: ------------ Alt.support.depression has enjoyed a large and faithful following since its inception over 2 years ago. This is probably not surprising since anywhere from 5 to 25% of adults will experience either depression or a related mood disorder in their lifetime. This is one of the most commonly diagnosed, treated, and misunderstood of mental disorders today. Alt.support.depression has illustrated the tremendous success of online support groups on the Internet.  Unfortunately, since it began, traffic on alt.support.depression has outgrown the group; it now averages anywhere from 150-300 new messages per day. In an effort to reduce traffic on alt.support.depression and provide a greater propegation for support of this disorder, this proposal has been put together. After some initial discussion on alt.support.depression, it is being made clear that this proposal in no way seeks to alter the basic make-up, content, or organization of the present newsgroup. None of the proposed groups would seek to replace or delete the existing alt.support.depression.* groups. Instead, it is proposed that these groups would naturally co-exist with one another; participants can choose from among them.  A survey of existing topics in the three newsgroups, alt.support.depression, alt.support.depression.manic, and alt.support.depression.seasonal that appeared on my newsreader over a period of two weeks (in the summer; fall & winter traffic would be expected to be greater) was conducted.  No soc.support.depression.chat or soc.support.depression.discussion newsgroup is being proposed in this RFD because of the difficulty of the distinction necessary between supportive posts to one another and topics of a purely "chatting" nature.   Proposed New Groups: ------------------- Name: soc.support.depression.crisis (unmoderated)  Description: Personal crisis situations.  Rationale: In the survey, 7-12% of all articles were            related to individuals seeking immediate sorts of            help and tips for relief from their depression and            suicidal feelings. While some individuals can            handle the constant requests for help, others            have expressed some difficulty in seeing them            every day. This newsgroup would set aside a specific            newsgroup for those individuals in need of immediate            support.             Although this group is being initially proposed as            *unmoderated*, I believe that some sort of            robomoderation to eliminate crossposting and flames            would be entirely appropriate for this newsgroup.            This can be discussed in the first RFD and if someone            has the capability and willingness to set this up,            the RFD can be changed to reflect this. Human            moderation may not be preferred given the time lag            of such a system.  Charter:   For helping those individuals suffering from            severe depressive and suicidal feelings who are            seeking immediate responses in a personal crisis            situation. Only articles asking for help or those            offering immediate support can be posted here.             All other articles, such as flames, commercial            postings, or discussions on individuals seeking help,            are strictly prohibited. Crossposting is also            highly discouraged. ------------------- Name: soc.support.depression.family (unmoderated)  Description: Coping with depressed people.  Rationale: Recent discussions have surfaced on alt.support.depression            about the lack of a discussion area for spouses and other            family members of how to deal with their loved ones            being depressed. Depression often takes an exacting            yet overlooked toll on significant others and family            systems, as well as friends. This support group would            give these individuals an area in which to freely            exchange mutual types of feelings and ideas on            how to cope with the depressed person in their lives.             Like another newsgroup that is being            proposed in this RFD (soc.support.depression.treatment),            this group is being proposed in the soc.support hierarchy            rather than under the alt.support hierarchy to            have better propegation of this important topic.  Charter:   For the discussion of coping with family members,            spouses, or friends who are depressed. Topics            appropriate for this newsgroup would be            the discussion of coping skills and exchanging            of ideas and feelings about how individuals            deal with significant others in their lives who            are suffering from any type of depressive disorder.            Commercial postings of any type are prohibited            from this newsgroup, and crossposting to other            soc.support.depression.* groups is discouraged.            As with all soc.support newsgroups, flames are            not welcome in this group as well. ------------------- Name: soc.support.depression.manic (unmoderated)  Description: Bipolar/manic-depression.  Rationale: To better propegate the support discussion of            those individuals suffering from this specific            sub-type of depression. The current newsgroup            receives poor propegation, and yet this topic            is a logical branch from the proposed            soc.support.depression.* hierarchy. It is a            different enough disorder, however, to make            individuals suffering from it to be less able            to relate well to those suffering from only            major depressive disorder. Manic-depression is            used, rather than the more up-to-date term,            bipolar, since it is more recognizable to most            people and parallels the existing alt group.  Charter:   For the discussion of bipolar disorder (also            known as manic-depression), which is characterized            by specific and discrete episodes of depression            and mania (an excess of energy & grandiosity of            mood and self). This newsgroup is being proposed            not to replace the current alt.support.depression.manic,            but as a logical and better-propegated complement to it.            Commerical postings are specifically prohibited. ------------------- Name: soc.support.depression.misc (unmoderated)  Description: Depression and mood disorders.  Rationale: In the survey, nearly 60-65% of all posts were            directly related to the supportive discussion            of depression and related mood disorders. This            group is being proposed to increase propegation            of this topic and allow for better organization            of this topic under the soc.support.* hierarchy.  Charter:   For the discussion of depression and other            serious mood disorders (such as dysthymic disorder).            This newsgroup is being proposed not to replace            the current alt.support.depression, but rather as            a complement to it. Crossposting between the            newsgroups can and will occur. Commerical postings            of any sort are strictly prohibited. This newsgroup            would also be for the discussion area for any other            newsgroup proposed which did not pass its vote. ------------------- Name: soc.support.depression.seasonal (unmoderated)  Description: Seasonal affective disorder.  Rationale: To better propegate the support discussion of            those individuals suffering from this specific            sub-type of depression. The current newsgroup            receives poor propegation, and yet this topic            is a logical branch from the proposed            soc.support.depression.* hierarchy. It is a            different enough disorder, however, to make            individuals suffering from it to be less able            to relate well to those suffering from only            major depressive disorder.  Charter:   For the discussion of seasonal affective disorder            (SAD), which is a sub-type of depression that            is characterized by a major depressive episode            occurring only during the change of or throughout            specific seasons (e.g.- depression experienced            only in the winter months in the north). This            newsgroup is being proposed not to replace the            current alt.support.depression.seasonal, but as            a logical and better-propegated complement to it.            Commerical postings are specifically prohibited. ------------------- Name: soc.support.depression.treatment (unmoderated)  Description: Treatments of depression.  Rationale: One of the most popular topics in a.s.d., accounting            for approximately 25-30% of all the articles posted.            Since medication and psychotherapy are both important            aspects of most people's treatment for depression,            no distinction is made here between the two. If, in the            future, it becomes apparent that individual newsgroups            for both are warranted, they can be created in            this hierarchy.  Charter:   For the discussion of various treatment options            of depression, whether it is psychotherapy,            medication, alternative therapies, home-made            remedies, or some combination of them. Any topic            that offers solutions and options for the treatment            of depression is appropriate here. Discussion of            personal experiences, research, and professional            opinions of the treatment of depression would also            be appropriate. Advocacy on a particular treatment            method is discouraged or should only be done in            a nonjudgmental and supportive style.  Out-and-out            debates or arguments on treatment options as well as            commercial postings of any sort are not appropriate            nor allowed in this newsgroup. ------------------- Summary: ------- Alt.support.depression is a great and useful newsgroup. However, it does not reach a lot of people still (because of it's location in the alt hierarchy) and it has quickly become overwhelmed by articles as the growth of the Internet (and Usenet in particular) has exploded in recent months. Depression is a serious and common disorder which deserves better propegation and better organization than currently available in alt. If most of the proposed newsgroups pass, not only will alt.support.depression be made more easily readable in the near future, but all the newsgroups will enjoy a more manageable number of articles. This proposal has taken pains to be as simple and as logical as possible, including only the smallest number of newsgroups possible to better organize and propegate this topic.  Notes on this RFD -----------------        This 1st RFD is being posted on July 18, 1995                   to the following groups:                     news.groups                     news.announce.newgroups                     sci.psychology.announce                     sci.psychology.misc                     alt.support.depression                     alt.support.depression.manic                     alt.support.depression.seasonal                     alt.support   and may be  freely  distributed  to  any other groups or  mailing lists  where it  might be of relevance.   Please  leave the Followup-To: header intact.   Persons not able  to communicate or post directly to Usenet may mail their  comments or questions to:    [email protected]       All pertinent  discussion relating to this  RFD      should   take  place   on   news.groups,  hence      follow-ups have been directed there. I strongly      urge readers to  limit their discussion on this      RFD  to   news.groups,  as  is  the  recognized      convention.   Thanks go out to Daniel Hartung, and many others,  who made comments on earlier versions of this RFD.   Call for Votes -------------- The CFV is expected to be posted in approximately 30 days,                on or around August 14, 1995. The  CFV  is expected to be conducted  by  an independent vote-taker, arranged through the UVV.     The CFV will be sent out to the same newsgroups (listed above) as the RFD was sent to. Details on voting will be posted in the CFV.  From [email protected] Tue Sep  5 15:35:41 1995 Path: uunet!bounce-back From: [email protected] (Michael Handler) Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups,sci.psychology.announce,sci.psychology.misc,alt.support.depression,alt.support.depression.manic,alt.support.depression.seasonal,alt.support Subject: CFV: soc.support.depression.* new hierarchy Followup-To: poster Date: 5 Sep 1995 19:35:36 -0000 Organization: Usenet Volunteer Votetakers [UVV] Lines: 290 Sender: [email protected] Approved: [email protected] Expires: 27 Sep 1995 00:00:00 GMT Message-ID: <[email protected]> Reply-To: [email protected] NNTP-Posting-Host: rodan.uu.net Archive-Name: soc.support.depression Xref: uunet news.announce.newgroups:7449 news.groups:166851 sci.psychology.announce:88 sci.psychology.misc:1052 alt.support.depression:51623 alt.support.depression.manic:1292 alt.support.depression.seasonal:253 alt.support:8991                            FIRST CALL FOR VOTES (of 2)            unmoderated group soc.support.depression.crisis            unmoderated group soc.support.depression.family             unmoderated group soc.support.depression.manic             unmoderated group soc.support.depression.misc           unmoderated group soc.support.depression.seasonal           unmoderated group soc.support.depression.treatment  Newsgroups line: soc.support.depression.crisis	Personal crisis situations. soc.support.depression.family	Coping with depressed people. soc.support.depression.manic	Bipolar/manic-depression. soc.support.depression.misc	Depression and mood disorders. soc.support.depression.seasonal	Seasonal affective disorder. soc.support.depression.treatment	Treatments of depression.  Votes must be received by 23:59:59 UTC, 26 Sep 1995.  This vote is being conducted by a neutral third party and a member of the Usenet Volunteer Votetakers [UVV]. For questions about the vote, the voting process, or voting mechanics, please contact Michael Handler <[email protected]>. If you have any other questions about this proposal, please contact the proponent for this proposal, John M. Grohol <[email protected]>.  RATIONALE: soc.support.depression.crisis  In the survey, 7-12% of all articles were related to individuals seeking immediate sorts of help and tips for relief from their depression and suicidal feelings. While some individuals can handle the constant requests for help, others have expressed some difficulty in seeing them every day. This newsgroup would set aside a specific newsgroup for those individuals in need of immediate support.  RATIONALE: soc.support.depression.family  Recent discussions have surfaced on alt.support.depression about the lack of a discussion area for spouses and other family members of how to deal with their loved ones being depressed. Depression often takes an exacting yet overlooked toll on significant others and family systems, as well as friends. This support group would give these individuals an area in which to freely exchange mutual types of feelings and ideas on how to cope with the depressed person in their lives.  Like another newsgroup that is being proposed in this RFD (soc.support.depression.treatment), this group is being proposed in the soc.support hierarchy rather than under the alt.support hierarchy to have better propagation of this important topic.  RATIONALE: soc.support.depression.manic  To better propagate the support discussion of those individuals suffering from this specific sub-type of depression. The current newsgroup receives poor propagation, and yet this topic is a logical branch from the proposed soc.support.depression.* hierarchy. It is a different enough disorder, however, to make individuals suffering from it to be less able to relate well to those suffering from only major depressive disorder. Manic-depression is used, rather than the more up-to-date term, bipolar, since it is more recognizable to most people and parallels the existing alt group.  RATIONALE: soc.support.depression.misc  In the survey, nearly 60-65% of all posts were directly related to the supportive discussion of depression and related mood disorders. This group is being proposed to increase propagation of this topic and allow for better organization of this topic under the soc.support.* hierarchy.  RATIONALE: soc.support.depression.seasonal  To better propagate the support discussion of those individuals suffering from this specific sub-type of depression. The current newsgroup receives poor propagation, and yet this topic is a logical branch from the proposed soc.support.depression.* hierarchy. It is a different enough disorder, however, to make individuals suffering from it to be less able to relate well to those suffering from only major depressive disorder.  RATIONALE: soc.support.depression.treatment  One of the most popular topics in a.s.d., accounting for approximately 25-30% of all the articles posted.  Since medication and psychotherapy are both important aspects of most people's treatment for depression, no distinction is made here between the two. If, in the future, it becomes apparent that individual newsgroups for both are warranted, they can be created in this hierarchy.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.crisis  For helping those individuals suffering from severe depressive and suicidal feelings who are seeking immediate responses in a personal crisis situation. Only articles asking for help or those offering immediate support can be posted here.  All other articles, such as flames, commercial postings, or discussions on individuals seeking help, are strictly prohibited. Crossposting is also highly discouraged.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.family  For the discussion of coping with family members, spouses, or friends who are depressed. Topics appropriate for this newsgroup would be the discussion of coping skills and exchanging of ideas and feelings about how individuals deal with significant others in their lives who are suffering from any type of depressive disorder.  Commercial postings of any type are prohibited from this newsgroup, and crossposting to other soc.support.depression.* groups is discouraged.  As with all soc.support newsgroups, flames are not welcome in this group as well.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.manic  For the discussion of bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression), which is characterized by specific and discrete episodes of depression and mania (an excess of energy & grandiosity of mood and self). This newsgroup is being proposed not to replace the current alt.support.depression.manic, but as a logical and better-propagated complement to it.  Commercial postings are specifically prohibited.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.misc  For the discussion of depression and other serious mood disorders (such as dysthymic disorder).  This newsgroup is being proposed not to replace the current alt.support.depression, but rather as a complement to it. Crossposting between the newsgroups can and will occur. Commercial postings of any sort are strictly prohibited. This newsgroup would also be for the discussion area for any other newsgroup proposed which did not pass its vote.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.seasonal  For the discussion of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a sub-type of depression that is characterized by a major depressive episode occurring only during the change of or throughout specific seasons (e.g.- depression experienced only in the winter months in the north). This newsgroup is being proposed not to replace the current alt.support.depression.seasonal, but as a logical and better-propagated complement to it.  Commercial postings are specifically prohibited.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.treatment  For the discussion of various treatment options of depression, whether it is psychotherapy, medication, alternative therapies, home-made remedies, or some combination of them. Any topic that offers solutions and options for the treatment of depression is appropriate here. Discussion of personal experiences, research, and professional opinions of the treatment of depression would also be appropriate. Advocacy on a particular treatment method is discouraged or should only be done in a nonjudgmental and supportive style. Out-and-out debates or arguments on treatment options as well as commercial postings of any sort are not appropriate nor allowed in this newsgroup.  END CHARTER.  HOW TO VOTE:  One vote counted per person, no more than one per account. Attempts at ballot box stuffing or vote fraud will not be treated lightly.  ************************************************************************** *** IMPORTANT: Email addresses, names, and votes of all voters will be *** *** published in the final voting results list. UVV voting is not done *** *** by secret ballot. If you don't like this policy, don't vote.       *** **************************************************************************  Erase everything above the top "========" line and erase everything below the bottom "==========" line. Do not erase anything between these lines. Do not change the group names. Give your name on the line that asks for it.  For each group, place either YES, NO, or ABSTAIN in each set of square brackets next to the group name.  If you vote ABSTAIN on a group, your vote will be registered and will be shown in the final results posting, but it will not affect the outcome of the vote on that group.  It is intended as a form of symbolic protest, nothing more.  If you don't want to vote on a particular group, just leave the space blank. Leaving a box blank is counted as voting ABSTAIN for that group -- it does not affect the outcome of the vote for that group. If you wish to abstain from all of the groups, please say ABSTAIN. If you leave all of the groups blank, your vote will be rejected for failure to cast any votes.  You can also CANCEL your vote, by placing CANCEL in the square brackets to the left of one or more group names. If you do CANCEL your vote, your vote will be purged from the active results file, and your name and address will not be listed in the final results posting.  Don't worry about spacing of the columns or any quote characters (">") that your reply inserts.  If you later change your mind, you may vote again from the same account. Only your last valid vote will be registered in the final count.  Please note that the only valid values to place in the brackets are "YES", "NO", "ABSTAIN", or "CANCEL". Do not place anything else in the brackets -- it will not be counted. Specifically: "X" is not a valid vote.  Then email the ballot to: <[email protected]>. Just replying to this message should work if you're reading it this on a mailing list.  Quick voting checklist: 1) Fill in the ballot form below.  Don't forget to include your Real Name. 2) Delete everything but the ballot in your reply to this CFV. 3) Make sure your reply goes to <[email protected]>.  ========== BEGINNING OF BALLOT: Delete everything before this line ==========  (Don't remove this marker)  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.{crisis,family,manic,misc,seasonal,treatment} Ballot  Type your real name here --->  [Your Vote]  Group ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [     YES ]  example.yes.vote [      NO ]  example.no.vote [ ABSTAIN ]  example.abstention  [         ]  soc.support.depression.crisis [         ]  soc.support.depression.family [         ]  soc.support.depression.manic [         ]  soc.support.depression.misc [         ]  soc.support.depression.seasonal [         ]  soc.support.depression.treatment ============== END OF BALLOT: Delete everything after this line ==============  Anything else may be rejected by the automatic vote counting program. The votetaker will respond to your received ballots with a personal acknowledgement by mail -- if you do not receive one within several days, try again. It's your responsibility to make sure your vote is registered correctly.  After the final results are posted to , there will then be a five-day period during which the published vote list may be corrected and any irregularities addressed.  OFFICIAL SOURCES OF THE CFV  The only official sources of this CFV are: * The copy which was crossposted to  * Any copies which were sent to mailing lists *by* *the* *votetaker* * One received from the votetaker's automated mailserver  If you want to receive a copy of the CFV from the votetaker's mailserver, send an email message to <[email protected]>. The text of your message does not matter; this is an automated function. A computer handles this, not a human.  IMPORTANT:  If anyone gave you a pre-completed ballot which did not leave all of the voting choices up to you, you should modify the votes to reflect your choice of YES, NO or ABSTAIN on each item in the ballot. If you give anyone copies of the CFV, the copies must be whole and unmodified. Distributing pre-filled in ballots or modified copies of this CFV is considered voting fraud. If this occurs on a large scale or causes voting problems or irregularities, the vote may be canceled.  When in doubt, ask the votetaker.  DISTRIBUTION:  This Call For Votes (CFV) has been crossposted to the following newsgroups:  news.announce.newgroups, news.groups, sci.psychology.announce, sci.psychology.misc, alt.support.depression, alt.support.depression.manic, alt.support.depression.seasonal, alt.support  After this Call For Votes (CFV) appears in , it will be sent to the following mailing lists:  * Madness <[email protected]> * Pendulum <[email protected]> -- Michael Handler <[email protected]>  Usenet Volunteer Votetakers (UVV)  From [email protected] Tue Sep 19 13:50:53 1995 Path: uunet!bounce-back From: [email protected] (Michael Handler) Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups,sci.psychology.announce,sci.psychology.misc,alt.support.depression,alt.support.depression.manic,alt.support.depression.seasonal,alt.support Subject: 2nd CFV: soc.support.depression.* new hierarchy Followup-To: poster Date: 19 Sep 1995 17:50:48 -0000 Organization: Usenet Volunteer Votetakers [UVV] Lines: 295 Sender: [email protected] Approved: [email protected] Expires: 27 Sep 1995 00:00:00 GMT Message-ID: <[email protected]> Reply-To: [email protected] NNTP-Posting-Host: rodan.uu.net Archive-Name: soc.support.depression Xref: uunet news.announce.newgroups:7542 news.groups:167720 sci.psychology.announce:104 sci.psychology.misc:1299 alt.support.depression:54275 alt.support.depression.manic:1421 alt.support.depression.seasonal:312 alt.support:9068                        LAST CALL FOR VOTES (of 2)            unmoderated group soc.support.depression.crisis            unmoderated group soc.support.depression.family             unmoderated group soc.support.depression.manic             unmoderated group soc.support.depression.misc           unmoderated group soc.support.depression.seasonal           unmoderated group soc.support.depression.treatment  Newsgroups line: soc.support.depression.crisis	Personal crisis situations. soc.support.depression.family	Coping with depressed people. soc.support.depression.manic	Bipolar/manic-depression. soc.support.depression.misc	Depression and mood disorders. soc.support.depression.seasonal	Seasonal affective disorder. soc.support.depression.treatment	Treatments of depression.  Votes must be received by 23:59:59 UTC, 26 Sep 1995.  This vote is being conducted by a neutral third party and a member of the Usenet Volunteer Votetakers [UVV]. For questions about the vote, the voting process, or voting mechanics, please contact Michael Handler <[email protected]>. If you have any other questions about this proposal, please contact the proponent for this proposal, John M. Grohol <[email protected]>.  RATIONALE: soc.support.depression.crisis  In the survey, 7-12% of all articles were related to individuals seeking immediate sorts of help and tips for relief from their depression and suicidal feelings. While some individuals can handle the constant requests for help, others have expressed some difficulty in seeing them every day. This newsgroup would set aside a specific newsgroup for those individuals in need of immediate support.  RATIONALE: soc.support.depression.family  Recent discussions have surfaced on alt.support.depression about the lack of a discussion area for spouses and other family members of how to deal with their loved ones being depressed. Depression often takes an exacting yet overlooked toll on significant others and family systems, as well as friends. This support group would give these individuals an area in which to freely exchange mutual types of feelings and ideas on how to cope with the depressed person in their lives.  Like another newsgroup that is being proposed in this RFD (soc.support.depression.treatment), this group is being proposed in the soc.support hierarchy rather than under the alt.support hierarchy to have better propagation of this important topic.  RATIONALE: soc.support.depression.manic  To better propagate the support discussion of those individuals suffering from this specific sub-type of depression. The current newsgroup receives poor propagation, and yet this topic is a logical branch from the proposed soc.support.depression.* hierarchy. It is a different enough disorder, however, to make individuals suffering from it to be less able to relate well to those suffering from only major depressive disorder. Manic-depression is used, rather than the more up-to-date term, bipolar, since it is more recognizable to most people and parallels the existing alt group.  RATIONALE: soc.support.depression.misc  In the survey, nearly 60-65% of all posts were directly related to the supportive discussion of depression and related mood disorders. This group is being proposed to increase propagation of this topic and allow for better organization of this topic under the soc.support.* hierarchy.  RATIONALE: soc.support.depression.seasonal  To better propagate the support discussion of those individuals suffering from this specific sub-type of depression. The current newsgroup receives poor propagation, and yet this topic is a logical branch from the proposed soc.support.depression.* hierarchy. It is a different enough disorder, however, to make individuals suffering from it to be less able to relate well to those suffering from only major depressive disorder.  RATIONALE: soc.support.depression.treatment  One of the most popular topics in a.s.d., accounting for approximately 25-30% of all the articles posted.  Since medication and psychotherapy are both important aspects of most people's treatment for depression, no distinction is made here between the two. If, in the future, it becomes apparent that individual newsgroups for both are warranted, they can be created in this hierarchy.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.crisis  For helping those individuals suffering from severe depressive and suicidal feelings who are seeking immediate responses in a personal crisis situation. Only articles asking for help or those offering immediate support can be posted here.  All other articles, such as flames, commercial postings, or discussions on individuals seeking help, are strictly prohibited. Crossposting is also highly discouraged.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.family  For the discussion of coping with family members, spouses, or friends who are depressed. Topics appropriate for this newsgroup would be the discussion of coping skills and exchanging of ideas and feelings about how individuals deal with significant others in their lives who are suffering from any type of depressive disorder.  Commercial postings of any type are prohibited from this newsgroup, and crossposting to other soc.support.depression.* groups is discouraged.  As with all soc.support newsgroups, flames are not welcome in this group as well.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.manic  For the discussion of bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression), which is characterized by specific and discrete episodes of depression and mania (an excess of energy & grandiosity of mood and self). This newsgroup is being proposed not to replace the current alt.support.depression.manic, but as a logical and better-propagated complement to it.  Commercial postings are specifically prohibited.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.misc  For the discussion of depression and other serious mood disorders (such as dysthymic disorder).  This newsgroup is being proposed not to replace the current alt.support.depression, but rather as a complement to it. Crossposting between the newsgroups can and will occur. Commercial postings of any sort are strictly prohibited. This newsgroup would also be for the discussion area for any other newsgroup proposed which did not pass its vote.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.seasonal  For the discussion of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a sub-type of depression that is characterized by a major depressive episode occurring only during the change of or throughout specific seasons (e.g.- depression experienced only in the winter months in the north). This newsgroup is being proposed not to replace the current alt.support.depression.seasonal, but as a logical and better-propagated complement to it.  Commercial postings are specifically prohibited.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.treatment  For the discussion of various treatment options of depression, whether it is psychotherapy, medication, alternative therapies, home-made remedies, or some combination of them. Any topic that offers solutions and options for the treatment of depression is appropriate here. Discussion of personal experiences, research, and professional opinions of the treatment of depression would also be appropriate. Advocacy on a particular treatment method is discouraged or should only be done in a nonjudgmental and supportive style. Out-and-out debates or arguments on treatment options as well as commercial postings of any sort are not appropriate nor allowed in this newsgroup.  END CHARTER.  HOW TO VOTE:  One vote counted per person, no more than one per account. Attempts at ballot box stuffing or vote fraud will not be treated lightly.  ************************************************************************** *** IMPORTANT: Email addresses, names, and votes of all voters will be *** *** published in the final voting results list. UVV voting is not done *** *** by secret ballot. If you don't like this policy, don't vote.       *** **************************************************************************  Erase everything above the top "========" line and erase everything below the bottom "==========" line. Do not erase anything between these lines. Do not change the group names. Give your name on the line that asks for it.  For each group, place either YES, NO, or ABSTAIN in each set of square brackets next to the group name.  If you vote ABSTAIN on a group, your vote will be registered and will be shown in the final results posting, but it will not affect the outcome of the vote on that group.  It is intended as a form of symbolic protest, nothing more.  If you don't want to vote on a particular group, just leave the space blank. Leaving a box blank is counted as voting ABSTAIN for that group -- it does not affect the outcome of the vote for that group. If you wish to abstain from all of the groups, please say ABSTAIN. If you leave all of the groups blank, your vote will be rejected for failure to cast any votes.  You can also CANCEL your vote, by placing CANCEL in the square brackets to the left of one or more group names. If you do CANCEL your vote, your vote will be purged from the active results file, and your name and address will not be listed in the final results posting.  Don't worry about spacing of the columns or any quote characters (">") that your reply inserts.  If you later change your mind, you may vote again from the same account. Only your last valid vote will be registered in the final count.  Please note that the only valid values to place in the brackets are "YES", "NO", "ABSTAIN", or "CANCEL". Do not place anything else in the brackets -- it will not be counted. Specifically: "X" is not a valid vote.  Then email the ballot to: <[email protected]>. Just replying to this message should work if you're reading it this on a mailing list.  Quick voting checklist: 1) Fill in the ballot form below.  Don't forget to include your Real Name. 2) Delete everything but the ballot in your reply to this CFV. 3) Make sure your reply goes to <[email protected]>.  ========== BEGINNING OF BALLOT: Delete everything before this line ==========  (Don't remove this marker)  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.{crisis,family,manic,misc,seasonal,treatment} Ballot  Type your real name here --->  [Your Vote]  Group ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [     YES ]  example.yes.vote [      NO ]  example.no.vote [ ABSTAIN ]  example.abstention  [         ]  soc.support.depression.crisis [         ]  soc.support.depression.family [         ]  soc.support.depression.manic [         ]  soc.support.depression.misc [         ]  soc.support.depression.seasonal [         ]  soc.support.depression.treatment ============== END OF BALLOT: Delete everything after this line ==============  Anything else may be rejected by the automatic vote counting program. The votetaker will respond to your received ballots with a personal acknowledgement by mail -- if you do not receive one within several days, try again. It's your responsibility to make sure your vote is registered correctly.  After the final results are posted to , there will then be a five-day period during which the published vote list may be corrected and any irregularities addressed.  OFFICIAL SOURCES OF THE CFV  The only official sources of this CFV are: * The copy which was crossposted to  * Any copies which were sent to mailing lists *by* *the* *votetaker* * One received from the votetaker's automated mailserver  If you want to receive a copy of the CFV from the votetaker's mailserver, send an email message to <[email protected]>. The text of your message does not matter; this is an automated function. A computer handles this, not a human.  IMPORTANT:  If anyone gave you a pre-completed ballot which did not leave all of the voting choices up to you, you should modify the votes to reflect your choice of YES, NO or ABSTAIN on each item in the ballot. If you give anyone copies of the CFV, the copies must be whole and unmodified. Distributing pre-filled in ballots or modified copies of this CFV is considered voting fraud. If this occurs on a large scale or causes voting problems or irregularities, the vote may be canceled.  When in doubt, ask the votetaker.  DISTRIBUTION:  This Call For Votes (CFV) has been crossposted to the following newsgroups:  news.announce.newgroups, news.groups, sci.psychology.announce, sci.psychology.misc, alt.support.depression, alt.support.depression.manic, alt.support.depression.seasonal, alt.support  After this Call For Votes (CFV) appears in , it will be sent to the following mailing lists:  * Madness <[email protected]> * Pendulum <[email protected]> --  Michael Handler <[email protected]>  Usenet Volunteer Votetakers (UVV)  soc.support.depression.{crisis,family,manic,misc,seasonal,treatment} Bounce List - No need to revote ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [email protected]                                                   Mark C. Orton  From [email protected] Fri Oct 13 17:47:11 1995 Path: uunet!bounce-back From: [email protected] (Michael Handler) Newsgroups: news.announce.newgroups,news.groups,sci.psychology.misc,alt.support.depression,alt.support.depression.manic,alt.support.depression.seasonal,alt.support,sci.psychology.announce Subject: RESULT: soc.support.depression.* new hierarchy: all groups pass Supersedes: <[email protected]> Followup-To: news.groups Date: 13 Oct 1995 21:47:04 -0000 Organization: Usenet Volunteer Votetakers Lines: 338 Sender: [email protected] Approved: [email protected] Message-ID: <[email protected]> References: <[email protected]> <[email protected]> <[email protected]> NNTP-Posting-Host: rodan.uu.net Archive-Name: soc.support.depression Xref: uunet news.announce.newgroups:7698 news.groups:170219 sci.psychology.misc:1677 alt.support.depression:59175 alt.support.depression.manic:1819 alt.support.depression.seasonal:495 alt.support:9347 sci.psychology.announce:137                                  RESULT     unmoderated group soc.support.depression.crisis passes 129:29     unmoderated group soc.support.depression.family passes 137:22      unmoderated group soc.support.depression.manic passes 127:33      unmoderated group soc.support.depression.misc passes 136:25    unmoderated group soc.support.depression.seasonal passes 126:24    unmoderated group soc.support.depression.treatment passes 140:24  soc.support.depression.{crisis,family,manic,misc,seasonal,treatment} results - 170 valid votes   Yes   No : 2/3? >100? : Pass? : Group ---- ---- : ---- ----- : ----- : -------------------------------------------  129   28 :  Yes   Yes :   Yes : soc.support.depression.crisis  137   22 :  Yes   Yes :   Yes : soc.support.depression.family  127   23 :  Yes   Yes :   Yes : soc.support.depression.manic  136   25 :  Yes   Yes :   Yes : soc.support.depression.misc  126   24 :  Yes   Yes :   Yes : soc.support.depression.seasonal  140   24 :  Yes   Yes :   Yes : soc.support.depression.treatment    3 invalid votes    soc.support.depression.crisis passed on Tue Sep 26 06:02:56 1995   soc.support.depression.family passed on Sat Sep 23 13:50:29 1995   soc.support.depression.manic passed on Mon Sep 25 23:15:34 1995   soc.support.depression.misc passed on Sun Sep 24 01:59:45 1995   soc.support.depression.seasonal passed on Tue Sep 26 05:55:27 1995   soc.support.depression.treatment passed on Sat Sep 23 23:37:28 1995  Newsgroups lines: soc.support.depression.crisis	Personal crisis situations. soc.support.depression.family	Coping with depressed people. soc.support.depression.manic	Bipolar/manic-depression. soc.support.depression.misc	Depression and mood disorders. soc.support.depression.seasonal	Seasonal affective disorder. soc.support.depression.treatment	Treatments of depression.  The voting period closed at 23:59:59 UTC, 26 Sep 1995.  This vote is being conducted by a neutral third party and a member of the Usenet Volunteer Votetakers [UVV]. For questions about the vote, the voting process, or voting mechanics, please contact Michael Handler <[email protected]>. If you have any other questions about this proposal, please contact the proponent for this proposal,  This vote is being conducted by a neutral third party. Questions about the proposed group should be directed to the proponent.  Proponent: "John M. Grohol" <[email protected]> Votetaker: Michael Handler <[email protected]>  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.crisis  For helping those individuals suffering from severe depressive and suicidal feelings who are seeking immediate responses in a personal crisis situation. Only articles asking for help or those offering immediate support can be posted here.  All other articles, such as flames, commercial postings, or discussions on individuals seeking help, are strictly prohibited. Crossposting is also highly discouraged.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.family  For the discussion of coping with family members, spouses, or friends who are depressed. Topics appropriate for this newsgroup would be the discussion of coping skills and exchanging of ideas and feelings about how individuals deal with significant others in their lives who are suffering from any type of depressive disorder.  Commercial postings of any type are prohibited from this newsgroup, and crossposting to other soc.support.depression.* groups is discouraged.  As with all soc.support newsgroups, flames are not welcome in this group as well.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.manic  For the discussion of bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression), which is characterized by specific and discrete episodes of depression and mania (an excess of energy & grandiosity of mood and self). This newsgroup is being proposed not to replace the current alt.support.depression.manic, but as a logical and better-propagated complement to it.  Commercial postings are specifically prohibited.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.misc  For the discussion of depression and other serious mood disorders (such as dysthymic disorder).  This newsgroup is being proposed not to replace the current alt.support.depression, but rather as a complement to it. Crossposting between the newsgroups can and will occur. Commercial postings of any sort are strictly prohibited. This newsgroup would also be for the discussion area for any other newsgroup proposed which did not pass its vote.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.seasonal  For the discussion of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a sub-type of depression that is characterized by a major depressive episode occurring only during the change of or throughout specific seasons (e.g.- depression experienced only in the winter months in the north). This newsgroup is being proposed not to replace the current alt.support.depression.seasonal, but as a logical and better-propagated complement to it.  Commercial postings are specifically prohibited.  END CHARTER.  CHARTER: soc.support.depression.treatment  For the discussion of various treatment options of depression, whether it is psychotherapy, medication, alternative therapies, home-made remedies, or some combination of them. Any topic that offers solutions and options for the treatment of depression is appropriate here. Discussion of personal experiences, research, and professional opinions of the treatment of depression would also be appropriate. Advocacy on a particular treatment method is discouraged or should only be done in a nonjudgmental and supportive style. Out-and-out debates or arguments on treatment options as well as commercial postings of any sort are not appropriate nor allowed in this newsgroup.  END CHARTER.  *************************************************************************** *** The following results posting is Copyright 1995 Michael Handler and *** *** Sub Rosa Software, Inc. Usage of the following list or any part     *** *** thereof as a mass mailing list or for any other purpose without the *** *** express written consent of the votetaker is strictly prohibited.    *** *** Said prohibition may be enforced by law.                            *** ***************************************************************************  soc.support.depression.{crisis,family,manic,misc,seasonal,treatment} Final Vote Ack                                       soc.support.depression.treatment --------+                                      soc.support.depression.seasonal -------+|                                          soc.support.depression.misc ------+||                                         soc.support.depression.manic -----+|||                                        soc.support.depression.family ----+||||                                        soc.support.depression.crisis ---+|||||                                                                         |||||| [email protected]                                  Michael Mouer YYYYYY [email protected]                              Mean Green Dancing Machine YYYYYY [email protected]                               Andres Adrover YYYNYY [email protected]                                       Angela Browne Y-YYNN [email protected]                                          Tina M. Wood YYYYYY [email protected]                                     Alan Thew YYYYYY [email protected]                                              Susan Hill YYYYYY [email protected]                             Andy Caunitis YYYYYY [email protected]                                         Alice Taylor YYYYYY [email protected]                                         Barb Grajewski YYYYYY [email protected]                                 Bill Boger --Y-YY [email protected]                                 Brian Butters YYYYYY [email protected]                                       Nancy E. Miller YYYYYY [email protected]                                           allen nicholson YYYYYY [email protected]                                          Derek Beatty NY-YYY [email protected]                                    Dan Birchall -YYYY- [email protected]                                          B.J. Herbison ---Y-- [email protected]                                        Carol Williams YYYNYY [email protected]                                             Brus Wasson YYYYYY [email protected]                                            GREG YOUNG YYYYYY [email protected]                            HONGKIEU VU YN--NY [email protected]                                       Barbara S. Wand YYYYYY [email protected]                                         Carl Carlin YYYYYY [email protected]                                      Claire YYYYYY [email protected]                                             Susan Clark -Y-Y-Y [email protected]                                    Cindy L. Jones YYYYYY [email protected]                                  Margaret L. Baker YYYYYY [email protected]                                         Chris Merrow NNNNNN [email protected]                                             Cynthia Moore YYYYYY [email protected]                                      Mike Coleman YYYYYY [email protected]                                               John Bell YYYYYY [email protected]                                Charles Padgett YYYYYY [email protected]                                         Julie Crain YYYYYY [email protected]                                          David Cromwell YYYYYY [email protected]                              K. Crouch ------ [email protected]                                        Michiel Wijers NNNNNN [email protected]                                        Christy Wolff YYYYYY [email protected]                               Paul Decelles YYYYYY [email protected]                                  Ronda DeVold YYYYYY [email protected]                                        David Logan YYYYYY [email protected]                                          David Harmon YYYYYY [email protected]                                       David C. Moisan YYYYYY [email protected]                             Cheryl Dragel YYYYYY [email protected]                                           Dave Sparks YYYYYY [email protected]                                  Duane T. Williams YYYYYY [email protected]                                   Dawn Elizabeth Suchy YYYYYY [email protected]                    Elizabeth Brogan YYYYYY [email protected]                          Ellen Keyne Seebacher -Y-Y-Y [email protected]                                    Jennifer A. Wand NY-N-N [email protected]                                          Jim Foote YYYYYY [email protected]                                       Linda Freund YYYNNY [email protected]                      Gael M. Chaney ([email protected]) NYNYNN [email protected]                              Gary James Mulder YYYYYY [email protected]                                  Graham West YYYYYY [email protected]                                      Daniel Greenberg YYYYYY [email protected]                                       Lynne O'Connor YYYYYY [email protected]                              John M. Grohol YYYYYY [email protected]                                            Hank Roberts YYYYYY [email protected]                                       Carl Wong YYYY-Y [email protected]                              Heike C. Zimmerer YYYYYY [email protected]                             Stephan Heilmayr YYYYYY [email protected]                                          Heather Huelsbeck YYYYYY [email protected]                              James A Kulacz  NNNNNN [email protected]                                     Mary E. Deaver YYYYYY [email protected]                                             Jim Miner YYYYYY [email protected]                                            Jim Hart YYYYYY [email protected]                                        Jeannie Howse YYYNYN [email protected]                                        Janet L. Hughes NY-Y-Y [email protected]                            Julio Ken Rosenblatt YYYYYY [email protected]                                     Joe St Sauver YYYYYY [email protected]                                           Joe Clark YYYYYY [email protected]                            Jon Ivar Skullerud NYYY-Y [email protected]                                   Joseph Rogers YYYYYY [email protected]                                J. Porter Clark NYYYYN [email protected]                              John R. MacWilliamson NNNNNN [email protected]                                     Joel Stanley Y--Y-- [email protected]                                  Jonathan Young YYYYYY [email protected]                                   Kathleen Bennett YYYYYY [email protected]                         [email protected] NNNNNN [email protected]                        kiera koester YYYYYY [email protected]                                       Aaron Dickey YYYYYY [email protected]                                         Kurt Gutknecht YYYYYY [email protected]                    Kathleen A. Whalen YYYYYY [email protected]                                              Lance Chun YYNYYY [email protected]                                              Leigh Melton YYYYYY [email protected]                           Martin Schr"oder YYYYYY [email protected]                                        L. John Keller II YYYYYY [email protected]                                     Roy Hellinga YYYYYY [email protected]                                          Lou Puls YYYYYY [email protected]                                           Lane Singer Y--Y-Y [email protected]                             Scott "BiPolarBear" Milliken YYYYYY [email protected]                                    Marc Moorcroft NNNNNN [email protected]                                  Mark C. Orton YY-N-Y [email protected]                       Martin Hutchings NYYNYY [email protected]                                           Mark C. Wallace YYYYYY [email protected]                          Shannon H. Shoemaker YYYYYY [email protected]                              Michael Gordon YYYYYY [email protected]                                      Mark Odegard  YYYYYY [email protected]                                      Mary Lynn Trotter ---Y-Y [email protected]                                          M Mike Taksar -NYNYY [email protected]                                                  Mark Brader NNNYNN [email protected]                                      Ria Strong YYYYYY [email protected]                                 Matthew Kinney YY-Y-Y [email protected]                           Michael W. Daniels YYYYYY [email protected]                                  Sandi Anderson YYYYYY [email protected]                                    Neil Harris YYYYYY [email protected]                                       Nancy Slator YY-Y-Y [email protected]                                      Olav Nieuwejaar YYYYYY [email protected]                                        Melissa O'Neill YYYY-Y [email protected]                                              david parsons YYYNYY [email protected]                            Patrick J. LoPresti NNNNNN [email protected]                                Patrick McDonald NNNNNN [email protected]                                Helen Penrose YYYYYY [email protected]                                   Fred Vaughn YYYYYY [email protected]                      Irene G. Plotzker YYYYYY [email protected]                                   Paul Bartlett --Y--Y [email protected]                       Andreas Polzer YYYYYY [email protected]                             Steven S. Popovich YYYYYY [email protected]                                         Ivan Goldberg YYYYYY [email protected]                                       Pete Bastien NNNNYN [email protected]                                       Matt Schnierle NNNYNN [email protected]                                       Rebecca Drayer YYYYYY [email protected]                                  Raffaele Ladu YYYYYY [email protected]                                        R Bruce Bicknell NNNNNN [email protected]                                 Rosey Temkin YYYYYY [email protected]                                      Richard H. Miller NNNYNN [email protected]                               Thomas Ridgeway YYYYYY [email protected]                                       Rebecca Correll YYYYYY [email protected]                                      Robert Marvin YYYYYY [email protected]                                  Richard N. Schaefer YY---Y [email protected]                                       Rudy Nadler-Nir ----Y- [email protected]                                               Russ Herman YYYYYY [email protected]                                       Robert Wilkins YYYYYY [email protected]                              Glen Patrick Ryan NNNNNN [email protected]                             Juergen Weinelt NNN-NN [email protected]                                      Sheri Cooper -Y-Y-Y [email protected]                                          Shapard Wolf YYYYYY [email protected]                                                             YYYYYY [email protected]                                           Sanford Forte ----YY [email protected]                                                Emily Way YYYYYY [email protected]                                        S.P.Zeidler YYYYYY [email protected]                             Richard K. Worthington YYYYYY [email protected]                                           Dwight Brown NNNNNN [email protected]                                           Steve Poggio YYYYYY [email protected]                                         Frode Stokseth YYYYYY [email protected]                 Stephen Van Egmond YYYYYY [email protected]                                         Sylvia Caras YYYYYY [email protected]                                         R. D. Miller NNNNNN [email protected]                                   Terry Gray YYYYYY [email protected]                                        Jim Thompson NNNYNY [email protected]                                       Bev Thornton YYYYYY [email protected]                                      Angela Teo YYYYYY [email protected]                                  Tom Jaskiewicz  NNNNNN [email protected]                       Todd C. Lawson NYNYNY [email protected]                                        Tabor J. Wells YYYYYY [email protected]                              Tim MacKenzie YY-Y-Y [email protected]                              Peter Wise YYYYYY [email protected]                                      Patricia Terris YYYYYY [email protected]                                 Ville Hakulinen YYYYYY [email protected]                                             Vickie Mapes YYYYYY [email protected]                                        Karen Anderson YYYYYY [email protected]                                            Wade Black ------ [email protected]                                            Tom Wakelyn YYYNYY [email protected]                                          Mitchell Wand YYYYYY [email protected]                                       Sandra Whiting YYYYYY [email protected]                                  Risto Widenius NNNNNN [email protected]                                          Mark Buford YYYYYY [email protected]                                   Kent Paul Dolan YYYYYY [email protected]                                              Mike Porter YYYYYY [email protected]                                        Yaffa Sassoon YYYYYY   Votes in error ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [email protected]                                        Gary Brown    ! No ballot [email protected]    ! No ballot [email protected]                                              Kathleen Collins    ! No vote statement in message  DISTRIBUTION:  This Call For Votes (CFV) has been crossposted to the following newsgroups:  news.announce.newgroups, news.groups, sci.psychology.announce, sci.psychology.misc, alt.support.depression, alt.support.depression.manic, alt.support.depression.seasonal, alt.support  --  Michael Handler <[email protected]>  Usenet Volunteer Votetakers (UVV)