15 yrs w/ Jimmy K here. Anything is possible - if you want something bad enough, the world will conspire to help you~Paulo Cuelho... Advice? Don't offer your own. Speak about your experience only. A good mentor/sponsor meets someone at the "point of (their) willingness". The more people they meet - the more experience they can then glean from. Addicts have instinctual knee-jerk reactions to authority, even if you aren't, but just sound like one! "Carrying a message" is not about evangelizing (some people seem to think that), to me, it's about demonstration (lead through example). I think it's great that you can take them to a meeting/talk/spend time/help them to meet other good examples. My .02 for the moment... Best wishes!
As for depression - I still struggle from time to time (but I'm not diagnosed as suffering from clinical depression either) - maybe that should just be called living! Talking about it/writing about it, exercise (even going for a brisk walk), productivity (clean the house, car, it's amazing how just a few small actions towards a larger goal can make you feel), eating a healthy meal (more veggies, less carbs), healthy escape works well too (temporarily - like reading a book or watching a movie). Things NOT to do: self medicate, self-diagnose, isolate, binge/purge, and if you feel like hurting yourself or someone else - call a hotline or see a professional Immediately! Though I have been to the depths of addiction and depression personally and witnessed dozens of others and helped many people, I am NOT a professional. I can only offer my sincere support and encouragement - from someone who has been there & found a way out. Keep coming. Better yet: Stay! ~
