I think we're on exactly the same page. The fact that the writer is hurting wasn't beautiful. Many of his ideas, however, were. If they're not your cup of tea,

I think we're on exactly the same page. The fact that the writer is hurting wasn't beautiful. Many of his ideas, however, were. If they're not your cup of tea, so be it. I think that you think that "It's okay to be depressed" is a platitude celebrating complacency. It's actually about shame. Many people, especially men, would sooner suffer than admit to needing help. Behind the platitude is the desire to say, "You don't need to be ashamed about being depressed. It's a thing that strikes the best of us, and you can hold your head high as we help you back to your feet." But yeah, a lot of therapists are terrible. It's indeed important to find one that wants to get you back on your feet as soon as possible; sympathy isn't a substitute for recovery. I like your veterans' tips for climbing out of depression: * Develop a hobby * Regularly exercise outside * Take on a big project, and put something into it every day * Spend in-person time with people who get it I sometimes do mental health volunteer work, and I'll incorporate your tips. Nothing beats a strategy that has met empirical success.