[Wants2Fly]

I'd like to put this out here: Would anyone be interested in joining a regularly schedule chat to discuss a book that we will select for reading about how to recover from depression. My first choice would be a book called Psychological Self-Help, bec. it is available as a free download, for voluntary contribution, at mentalhelp.org

I know we would have to clear this with Dr. Grohol to do it here, but there are other free online chat services as well.

My background is as a college teacher. So I've moderated classroom discussion. And I've participated in online interviews and chats for a class that I took last summer. I really see it just as a way to regularly schedule a productive internet activity, learning about techniques that can help, and what has helped others, how they tweaked suggestions, what didn't work. How to keep going, even after we slide back.

[gloria]

It's hard for me to commit to any schedule, but I would try to be there when ever possible.

gab

This sounds like a very wonderful and productive idea; I too am not able to commit (as I should be committed) that I will always be there, but I would love to hear more.
Jon

[Wants2Fly]

I think it would be all right for people to stop in to chat when they are avaiilable. For example, if 8 people were interestede but not committed, hopefully, at least 3 would show up for any given chat -- especially if we try to schedule the time to suit most available members.

It makes me start to think about how it would work, though. I guess there would have to be a place to post what the week's reading is.

Maybe an every 2 week reading schedule, or perhaps every 10 days, so that the day when it occurred would rotate. or maybe that's too confusiing.

Many a good idea comes to naught because the devil is in the details.

[(JD)]

Hmmm it might be a very good thing, if you can control the room.

We need directed chats, that's for sure. If we had macro capability, that would be even better.

IMHO, pick an evening (probably not weekend) not too early because from what I've noticed most have trouble showing up for the 8pm hour in chat...

That's all up to you. You can create your own chat room if you like, then anyone who wants the regular chat room isn't inconvenienced...'

and anyone not downloading the book could follow along with the discussion anyway...we all have opinions!

I say, just like a birthday party, set a date, time and list it in the forum... and wait... it will probably take several weeks for it be become a habit remember, most of us are handicapped when it comes to remembering.. then you add regular life.

Is this the book you are talking about? If so, it's here too. Assuming this is the most recent version?

http://psychcentral.com/psyhelp/

[Wants2Fly]

http://psychcentral.com/psyhelp/ -- Yes, that is the book.

I think the advice to set a time, invite, and hope others come for the party is good.

I am going to wait until I move at the end of the month. I don't know if my internet connection is going to be interrupted, and I know I can't moderate a discussion from Starbucks. Once I know what my living situation will be, I can tackle this.

Plus, maybe it is a good idea to run announcements for 10 days to 2 weeks before chats start. We drop in and drop out of the forums -- and, as you say, we all have trouble remembering. I missed a couple of things that I HAD WRITTEN DOWN --bec. then I forget to read my reminder notes.

I'd like add some negative self-talk here -- like what a dope I am -- but I've read enough to finally understand that depression is cognitively disorienting, it is part of the disease that diables us.

[apislily]

A book chat sounds like a great idea. I would definitely participate if it's scheduled for a time I'm not at work!