As another hacker who has suffered from depression, this is an excellent idea. I know that I'd much rather talk to someone who understands my peculiar mindset instead of yet another PhD charging too much an hour.
That's such a great analogy. And is absolutely correct. Depressives helping depressives is a great idea on its face, but falls down quickly when you haven't given yourself the opportunity for actual, serious stability before reaching out your own hand. The process of becoming healthy becomes much more complicated and difficult if you are trying to balance your own mental welfare with the welfare of others.
I was once asked what I was doing to live up to a certain person's life with whom I was associated. I said I was doing what I could for myself today so that I could do anything at all for others in the future.
I couldn't keep up with it but http://lift.do/ has a habit streak and motivation by seeing other people keeping on tasks.
Depression comes from not keeping up on tasks and losing your streak. That's when you start questioning yourself and the cycle keeps happening. There is definitely a niche need for a mentoring / motivational network for depressed people. This whole thread, and your last one, plus the momentum that came with them is proof.
"Depression comes from not keeping up on tasks and losing your streak."
I think you mixed up cause and effect. Depression mostly leads to not keeping up with what you're doing, which is the starting point of a downward spiral. Depression isn't "solved" by motivation. Depression is complex, but most times a common source is a overwhelming emotional event, which is re-felt in every down turn.
