A practical guide to healing depression without anti-depressants builds on a philosophy that depression occurs as a result of life imbalances, in a reference that outlines a seven-step program for taking control of one's circumstances.

"The silent epidemic of depression affects millions of people and takes dozens of lives everyday, while our culture grapples with a stigma against open discussion of mental health issues. Editor Amy Ferris has collected these stories to illuminate the truth behind that stigma and offer compassion, solidarity, and hope for all those who have struggled with depression. Contributors to Shades of Blue include: Barbara Abercrombie Sherry Amatenstein Chloe...

"An eighty-year-old woman, Ma, slips into a deep depression after the death of her husband. Despite her family's cajoling, she refuses to get up from bed. Her responsible eldest son, Bade, and dutiful, Reebok-sporting daughter-in-law, Bahu, flit around trying to attend to Ma's every need, while her favorite grandson, the cheerful and gregarious Sid, entertains her with his guitar. But it is only when Sid's younger brother-Serious Son, pathologically...