One of the most significant things I've done as part of my recovery from depression is attend a course called the Landmark Forum. It was so amazing I have become a little evangelical about it, especially with the people I care about most in the world. I honestly think everyone should do it and that it should be taught to our kids. I feel like I have learnt to be a human being all over again, something our current education system fails at.

Just to be clear, the Landmark Forum is not a course designed for depression, it's a 'personal development programme', but for me (and most other people I know who have done the Forum) it is much much more than that. In summary you sit in a room with around 150 other people while a course leader stands at the front and talks. At certain points throughout the three days people get up to share what they are getting out of what they are hearing and that for me is where the power is.

The course teaches that at some point in our childhood all of us hear or encounter something that makes us feel 'there's something wrong', 'I don't belong' and I'm not good enough'. I don't know about you but these thoughts have been my constant companions for a long time, so to see 150 other people all nodding and recounting how they feel these things too is totally life enhancing. Suddenly I got how all humans are the same, we share the same struggles, the same pains and the same joys. For some of us these thoughts are reinforced continuously over time and (in some cases) depression is the result.

Without a doubt the three days I spent seeing humanity laid bare were three of the best days of my life. It wasn't easy, and at times I was very confronted, but that's all part of it. I got to see what a victim I had been in life, how I'd resented people, isolated myself and then played the 'poor me' act with almost everyone I knew. After the Forum I have worked hard to use the distinctions they gave me to clear up my life – relationships, friendships, career, health. A life overhaul if you like. And I am now finally becoming the person I knew I was under all the layers I had constructed around me.

I would recommend doing the Forum to anyone (and frequently do!) so if it's something you're interested in do feel free to contact me through Moodscope - just email [email protected]. If in doubt just do it, it may just be the three days that change your life ;-)

With huge love,

Debs xxx
A Moodscope member

Thoughts on the above? Please feel free to post a comment below.