[justfloating]

I'm applying for a student-run help-line for my university. Students can call in to talk anonymously and without fear of judgement about absolutely anything, from homesickness to suicidal thoughts to simply asking the number of the local cab company. I love helping others -- it always makes me feel so good -- and I want to make a difference. I want to be able to be there for people who might be suffering from the same depression that almost destroyed me. I want to make sure nobody has to feel as alone as I did.

So I picked up an application form, and the first question made me stop. "Why do you think you would be a good student listener? Please note any qualities or experiences you think are relevant."

Here's the thing. The experience I think is most relevant is that I've been there. I've been terribly homesick and I've been dangerously depressed. Those are two reasons I really want to help other students in my situation. I went to the library once last year to look for books on coping with depression, and the computer system said that we had tons of them. But when I got there, I noticed that almost every self-help book on the subject had already been checked out. There are five or six copies of the best ones, and they were gone. That, on top of my counsellor telling me "you would be amazed at the sheer number of students here on anti-depressants" signals to me that there are people out there who could use a little help, who could use the listening ear that I found so valuable in my recovery. My problem is that I do not want the world to know that I'm currently on anti-depressants myself. I don't want the people looking at my application to know that I've recently been depressed. First of all, because I'm afraid that they'll decide not to interview me for a position because they might think my mental health might be jeopardized by listening to others' problems, and that I might not be able to handle a severely depressed caller. The second thing is that I simply don't share that information. My parents, a handful of very close friends, my doctors and my T are the only ones who know about my depression. I don't tell people I don't know well, and I'm not about to share that information with complete strangers looking at applications -- or worse, with the people who could later be my supervisors.

I really, really want to do this. I think it would be good for me, and I think I could be good at it. But I'm not sure what to say on my application. I don't have any relevant experience -- I've never done this type of thing before. And somehow "I think I'm a good listener" wouldn't cut it. I just don't know how much I should share on this form. I don't want to lie; I want to be able to explain that I have personal experiences that would be valuable as a student listener, but I don't want my depression to become public knowledge or a hindrance to my application.

Any ideas/suggestions for how I might be able to go about doing this?

[sarahbarah]

maybe just let them know that you have helped others in these situations before.i have read some of your postings and i think they are helpful and very insightful.

[turquoisesea]

you could say you have an interest in the subject for personal reasons (this could mean for yourself, or for a friend, or for a family member).

Another thing you could say is that you've explored resources for the subject, and you've talked to people experiencing this kind of thing etc.

Mention that you honestly care and want to help. Maybe that you're acceptant of lots of different types of people? Something that indicates your interest level and knowledge level.

You could even say someone in your family struggles with depression and you've learned alot from them - it would be true because YOU are in your family

*just throwing out ideas - might not help but meh xD call it brainSTORMING*

[lynn09]

Hi, (((justfloating))). I think it's great that you want to get involved in helping others this way. I think both sarahbarah and turquoisesea said it very well - indicate that you have had experience in all of those situations personally and with family members and friends, that you enjoy helping others, and you want to do something that has a positive impact on those around you. I can understand that you don't want to reveal every little detail about yourself, and I agree that it really shouldn't be necessary for you to expose yourself that way. Please let us know how it works out.