Depressed Mom Needs Some Help

Try looking at the following website:
http://www.umich.edu/~womenstd/girls/counseling.html

Many organizations in the Ann Arbor area offer free or sliding scale counseling - sounds like will counsel children as well during your transition of becoming a single mother, should they need it.

I can't speak for single-motherhood nor for any of these organizations, but I was depressed for many years until I got small little happy pills that gave me the energy to face the trials of daily life.

Hang in there, things WILL get better.

I know almost every church has free counseling and that is the best kind of counseling you can get. Have you ever heard of Northridge church? That is where I go and I love it! Everyone is very friendly and makes you feel very welcome. They are on Ridge Rd. Between North Territorial and 5 mile, give it a shot it could be just what you are looking for. They are listed online and you can look up all of there counseling groups. I know they have one for single parents and for people going through divorce. It is a wonderful place and I hope you chack it out. Best Wishes
V.

J.,
I am sorry you are feeling so down. While I was a single mom I through myself into work and into my son. I was so tired that while reading a bed time story I would fall asleep with him. I can not count how many times I woke up at 2am with his arm over my face and the book in my hand.
When he went to his dad's house everyother weekend I would sleep all night long on Friday and than do fun stuff with my girlfriends the rest of the weekend. Do you have any grown up time? What have you done fun for you? Are you currently working outside of the home? I know you are going to be great in the end!!!!!

Hi J.,
I actually used to work in the Academic Internal Medicine clinic at St Joe. They take the WHP, not sure if that is where you are receiving treatment or not. HOWEVER, they and most offices affiliated with the hospital have a social worker on hand that can help you get a referral to a Psychiatrist. With that being said, while I understand you feel that meds alone would not help, you may be very surprised at how they take the "edge" off of what you are going through.
I am married now, but I was a single mom with two boys for 10 years, your life is not over, and you are much much stronger than you believe you are. Women are amazing creatures, do not underestimate yourself and the power you have in you to dictate the next steps of your life. Being alone can be scary but it can also be liberating---we make the choice of which road we take. I went to Purdue, got a Bachelor Degree, raised my children, bought a house---you CAN do it alone, you CAN.
Medication may really help you get through the worst of this, and brighten those dull sad days for you. These days are days you can never get back with your kids, don't let a few weeks turn into a few months or God forbid a few years, of never feeling happy. Call your Dr and at least get on the meds and try to talk to a social worker, or see if you can get a referral to counseling. GOOD LUCK you WILL BE OK!!!