Families for Depression Awareness Launches the Sweeet! Baking for Healthy Minds Program

WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Depression is an illness that deeply affects young people. Nearly 4,600 individuals age 15-24 years old take their lives every year. In an effort to raise awareness for depression among children, teens and their families, Families for Depression Awareness has launched the Sweeet! Baking for Healthy Minds program.

Through the Sweeet! Baking for Healthy Minds program, individuals across the U.S. are treating their communities to baked goods -- and at the same time supporting an essential cause. Anyone can participate -- you simply host a bake sale in your community or a dessert party in your home and donate the proceeds to Families for Depression Awareness, a national nonprofit organization helping families recognize and cope with depressive disorders.

Barbara Keosayian, of Glen Mills, PA, is one of the first people in the nation to take part in the Sweeet! Baking for Healthy Minds program. On Saturday, October 6, she is hosting a Sweeet! bake sale at the Garnet Valley High School in Glen Mills. Barbara lost her son Michael to suicide when he was 18 years old. She hopes her efforts will help families cope with depressive disorders and ultimately save the lives of children and teens.

"Since my son's death I've become an advocate for promoting education and awareness of depressive disorders in teens to help them and their families. By participating in this program, I can support an organization where I will be able to refer others who are looking for a resource to understand depression," said Barbara. "By getting out there and selling cookies as a bake sale fundraiser for depression awareness, we will bring attention to these serious and treatable illnesses in a non-threatening way and hopefully break the stigma that's attached to them. In doing this I'm certain we will save lives."

"Just about everyone you speak with has been touched by a depressive disorder in some way, whether they suffer from one themselves or are supporting a friend or family member," said Julie Totten, founder and president of Families for Depression Awareness. "People often ask how they can help us educate others and raise awareness, so we've established this program so anyone, anywhere in the U.S. can take part in our mission. Every dollar we raise will place one of our Teen and Parent Depression and Bipolar Wellness Guides into the hands of someone who needs it, so it is a great way for people to give back to their communities."

About Families for Depression Awareness

Founded in January, 2001, Families for Depression Awareness is a non- profit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization, that helps families recognize and cope with depressive disorders to get people well and prevent suicides.

Families for Depression Awareness helps families, especially family caregivers and friends, recognize and cope with unipolar and bipolar depression. The organization provides education, outreach, and advocacy to support families and friends. Families for Depression Awareness is made up of families who have lost a family member to suicide or have watched a loved one suffer with depression, with little knowledge about how to help.

    Media Contact:
    October 2, 2007 Kara Della Vecchia
    Tel: 508-361-1133
    kara@kdvcommunications.com