Hi

Hi I just feel like talking. I don't know what's going on. All I want to do is cry. I'm so depressed. No money. Wanting to buy something for mom and dad and can't. I don't even have health insurance to get my antidepressants. The place I'm living has been having problems with people breaking into. And with no heat. I'm with no heat or barely with no heat. My neighbors have gotten broken into. Sorry, I just don't know what to do. Why am I feeling this way? I'm sorry, for this note. I just felt like spilling out my feelings to someone, since my parents don't seem to understand. Take Care and have a good Christmas. (I wish I didn't have to go home for Christmas). Love Lisa Young

Hi Lisa, I have struggled with depression for a long time. And I'm sure you know this is a bad time of year for it. Plus the money thing and worrying about someone breaking into your place. It's enough to overwhelm anyone. I wish I had some magic words for you, but I will keep you in my prayers. And just remember - Saturday will come and go - and life goes on. I hope you can find some joy in all of this, but above all, there are other people that do understand. Be kind to yourself. Nut

Hi Lisa, Can you call your doc & explain you don't have any money & see if he has samples of your meds? Just an idea. What about local organizations that might be able to help you out? Has the landlord been contacted about the heat problem? Know what you are saying about the money, won't even go there! Is there someone that could stay at your place while you are gone? Sorry for all the questions but hoping it may help you. Will keep you in my thoughts & prayers. Sending you hugs Carolyn

Hang in there Lisa! This is such a bad time of the year for depression, I too am going through that right now but for different reasons. Like Carolyn said see if your Dr. can give you samples for now. Your parents will understand if you can't get them anything for Christmas, ya know sometimes just being with them is and should be enough! I hope they find out who is breaking into the appts. and put a stop to it!!! And gf you definetly need heat this time of the yr. call your landlord! Your in my thoughts and prayers, Janet S

Lisa: Sorry to hear you're down Contact your landlord about the heat, if you don't get satisfaction, call the dept of health, or the human rights dept. One of them should be able to force your landlord to provide adequate heat. Have you applied for title xix ? If you don't have health insurance, maybe you'll qualify for it? Also contact human services, they may be able to direct you to a rural outreach program, or something, that would cover your meds. It may take some pushing and calling, but stick with it and hopefully you'll find some help with your problems. This time of year is very bad for depression, I have been off and on antidepressants for years, and I know this holiday season has been hard for me too!! Hang in there, and know better days are comming!!! Take care!!, DeeAnn

First off, HANG IN THERE! Iowa law requires your landlord provide you with adequate heat during the months of November through April. Call him ASAP, and if he isn't out within the hour, call the city zoning commission, your city hall, whatever it takes. Inform him that until you have heat, he will not be getting any rent, and that you WILL be going to menards, wal mart, whereever to buy space heaters, and HE will be reimbursing you the cost...on TOP of you NOT paying rent until it is fixed! Also inform him that you will be expecting new deadbolt locks for you entrance door, AND new locks for your windows if you live on the first floor. Secondly, there has to be some kind of Community Opportunities program or your local human services office can help you get emergency money to get your antidepressant meds, ESP if you have had a standing prescription...it is NOT good to quit them cold...can cause quite a downward spiral...(these same people can help you get emergency one time funding to move out of your current place if it doesn't have heat and get you into some kind of government funded housing that DOES have heat.) you say your parents don't understand? what don't they understand? your weight loss struggles, financial dealings...I have found through my own experience that usually I didn't think people would understand, so I didn't even try to help them understand what I was dealing with. Sometimes, and this is hard to deal with, but sometimes we have to realize that if WE don't take the steps to get things done, they just won't get done. No one is out there just waiting to do things for us, and that includes making us feel better when we are down. We have to be responsible for how we feel and the way we choose to deal with it. I hope you get your landlord in gear before it gets any colder, and I hope you take the steps to get the meds you need, and have a good long talk with your parents. Part of the Christmas spirit includes forgiveness....we often need to forgive ourselves before being able to forgive anyone else. Good luck, and peace to you. Tracie

I think several others have had good suggestions regarding heat. Regarding meds, contact your Dr for short term help but also, if you ask your pharmacist for ideas on how to pay for meds, I'm told that the pharmaceutical companies also have programs that help pay for meds. Also, one site that I order brochures from once in awhile is www.freemedicineprogram.com .If your medicine isn't listed there, just do a google search for free medicine. I pass out the free medicine brochure quite often but haven't had any feedback on how good it is. (Does that make me a drug dealer? lol j/k) There are lots of solutions regarding meds. Let us know if any of these pan out for you or not. By the way, regarding the break ins, is your apartment anywhere near the work release facility in Marshalltown? Just curious.