Welcome to the Depression Army Field Guide, a first of its kind crowd-sourced book series about living with depression.
We've all been frustrated by self-help books that promise the world and deliver almost nothing. The Depression Army Field Guide series seeks to create something different. These won't be self-help books where someone gives you medical definitions and black and white advice. These won't be "how to cure your depression in 90 days" programs. These won't be sob-story memoirs. These books won't even be two authors writing about different ways to solve depression-related problems.
Instead, DAFG is a collection of experiences from those who have been there, gathered from you to create a community-based book series. Yes, we will include scientific research and information, and yes each book will be book-ended with our introductory and closing essays, but really the bulk of it is community-grown. We believe you, who have really lived depression, and not the so-called experts, have the real answers to depression
Two books are planned by the end of 2016. Each will tackle an important set of real life problems. The first book will be about discovering that you live with depression, and the second will be about how to talk about depression with others. Hoped for titles will include: how to support a loved one with depression, and how to find the right type of help for you.
If this all sounds good, great! Because we need your help to make this vision a reality.
There are many chances to get involved: as a promoter in our Kickstarter campaign this August, as a book contributor writing about your lived experience, as a commentator, providing feedback on what we do as we do it, and so much more.
Because, ultimately, this is more than just a book series. We want to do live events. We want to create a strong community for those who live with depression and their loved ones. We want to keep you posted on our progress.
We hope that you will get involved in our cause.
Sincerely yours,
Liz Lazzara
Jonathan Rottenberg
for the Depression Army Field Guide.