Learning to Rise Above The Disorder (RAD)

Here at Creatives Against Depression, we are always looking out for advocates, causes, and organizations that help spread positivity and reduce mental health and addiction stigma within the U.S. The following articles helps shed some light on organization and causes that are doing just that.

If you have an organization or group you think we should feature, please don’t hesitate to reach out using our Contact Form.


As challenges continue to rise across the country and globe in 2022, many individuals’ mental health is taking a toll. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in 2020, 1 in 5 people experienced a mental illness, and 4.9 million of those people were unable to access needed care. These numbers have skyrocketed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and are amplified among PoC, the LGBTQ+ community, and underserved minority communities.

Our non-profit, Rise Above The Disorder (RAD), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to making mental health care accessible to all. Founded in 2013 from a World of Warcraft Guild, we evolved into Anxiety Gaming, and then into Rise Above The Disorder (RAD).

We are a small group of social workers and business team who carry out free-of-charge case management and advocacy work to help connect clients with therapists that best match their needs. Our non-profit is based in Los Angeles, California, however, we work with clients across the globe. 

Our mission at RAD is to eliminate the two greatest barriers to mental health treatment: access and cost. We remove these barriers using our Therapist Finder Program and Grant Program. Our Therapist Finder Program is for individuals who have access to insurance, universal healthcare, or a budget that they can utilize for therapy. We help these individuals find a therapist that best matches their needs, personality, and approach they are looking for. Our Grant Program is reserved for those who don’t have access to insurance or the means to afford therapy. We help them find a therapist that matches their needs, and cover the cost of therapy for them for a temporary period of time, ranging from 3-6 months in total. 

How Do I Apply for RAD?

All are welcome to apply to our program—youarerad.org/therapy . All you need to do is scroll down to the button that says “Start Therapy Form” and the form will ask for your name and email address, which will take you to our intake form so we can learn more about you and what you’re looking for! Once you have completed the form, you will be added to our wait-list where one of our social workers will pick up your case in around 1-14 days. 

What is the Therapist Finder Program?

Our Therapist Finder Program is for individuals who have access to insurance, universal healthcare, or a budget that they can utilize for therapy. We help these individuals find a therapist that best matches their needs, personality, and approach they are looking for.

What is the Grant Program?

Our Grant Program is reserved for those who don’t have access to insurance or the means to afford therapy. We help them find a therapist that matches their needs, and cover the cost of therapy for them for a temporary period of time, ranging from 3-6 months in total. 

Who Can Apply?

Our programs are open to all people, of all ages, all backgrounds, across all nations. For those presently unable to afford mental health care, we will work with you to verify financial hardship and use donations to cover the cost of mental health care.

How Much Is Therapy?

For those looking at our therapist finder, you'll want to budget at least $50 per week. Anyone unable to afford $50 per week will instead have the cost covered by RAD. For reference, the average cost of therapy is $120 a session, with most people going to therapy once per week.

Does RAD Cover Residential Treatment?

We don't presently offer coverage for residential treatment. Our team is working towards covering residential treatment in the future.

How Can I Get Involved with RAD?

We always love building the RAD community! Feel free to check out our website (youarerad.org) as well as our Instagram (instagram.com/riseabovethedisorder), Twitter (twitter.com/YouAreRAD), and Twitch (twitch.tv/youarerad) to gather more information and learn more about mental health as a whole and to stay updated on all our upcoming events.

Additionally, if you feel called to donate, you are welcome to check out our donation page—youarerad.org/donate.

21 Tips From a Therapist for Dating Someone With Depression

Depression is one of the most common forms of mental illness. According to recent research, over 20% of people in the United States have experienced at least one episode of major depressive disorder in their lifetime. With symptoms including sadness, apathy, low energy, and reduced libido, it’s no wonder that depression can take a serious toll on relationships.

All relationships take work. But, when you’re dating someone with depression, even ordinary challenges become magnified. Compound that with the heavy burden of trying to effectively support your partner through their depression, and you can very quickly find yourself feeling completely hopeless. You should never try to fill the role of a therapist, but you can implement strategies, specifically ones recommended by mental health professionals, to provide support while balancing your own needs.

Tips for Dating a Partner That Has Depression

1. Learn About Depression

Awareness is power. Understanding the types of symptoms your partner faces will help you have more patience and empathy. You’ll also learn that sad moods and irritability are not always caused by any particular event or action. Learning about depression will also help your partner feel more understood.

2. Ask Them Questions

When someone we love hurts, it’s common to try and immediately fix it. Instead, ask your partner questions about their needs. Simply asking, “what can I do to help?” creates a meaningful conversation that helps them feel heard and allows them to express what they want. Even if the answer is “I don’t know,” expressing your support and willingness to help offers comfort.

3. Be Patient

It’s normal to feel frustrated when the emotional burden of depression looms over your relationship. One of the most powerful and helpful tools you can offer your partner is being patient. Patience is especially crucial with difficulties such as low libido. You can’t fix your partner, but you can let them know that they have space to struggle.

4. Save the Advice

Although you have the best intentions and maybe even good advice, it’s not your place to offer advice. Instead, frame your “advice” as encouragement. Avoid using terms like “need” or “should” and focus on encouraging them to engage in helpful activities. Avoid saying: “You need help”, “You need to go outside” or “You should eat healthier.” Instead, try framing it like this: “Maybe a long walk outside will make you feel better.”

5. Don’t Take It Personally

Depression often causes people to lose interest in doing things they once enjoyed. On difficult days, it can feel like climbing a mountain just to get out of bed. If your partner seems short, distant, irritable, or disinterested– don’t take it personally. The symptoms of depression can often wear people down to the point where they say things they don’t mean or behave in ways that don’t reflect how they truly feel. Remind yourself that this illness zaps away joy and has nothing to do with your role as a partner or their desire to spend time with you.

6. Be There

Sometimes, the best support you can offer is merely being there. You can’t fix it or take away the pain, but you can sit with them as a supportive force while they endure it. It may be uncomfortable at first, especially if your partner is hurting greatly. You don’t need to discuss anything, you don’t need to offer solutions– just be there. You may sit together in silence, hold them while they hurt, or lay together. Your emotional support offers them a feeling of safety and stability.

7. Take Care of Yourself

It’s normal to feel stressed, worn out, or even resentful when your partner is experiencing depression. It is common for partners to lose sight of their own needs, which can bring many negative feelings into relationships. Make sure to prioritize your own self-care by taking time to exercise, decompress, eat right, and reach out for support when you need it. You won’t be much help to your partner when you’ve stretched yourself too thin anyways. 

8. Set Boundaries

Sometimes, a person with depression will act in a way that’s disruptive to your life. This may mean things like canceling plans or lashing out. Even though you understand that depression is the cause, it can still be hurtful. Create boundaries for yourself where you preserve your own needs while not causing your partner harm. For instance, when your partner cancels plans you were excited about, go ahead and do them anyways. During arguments that turn nasty, you can remove yourself from the situation to de-escalate. Healthy boundaries protect you and your partner from mounting resentment and negativity.

9. Re-Think Communication

When your partner has negative thoughts and cognitive distortions like “nobody loves me” or “I’m a failure,” it’s normal to want to tell them how silly that sounds. A more helpful approach is to validate your partner’s struggles without agreeing. You can try saying things like, “I know depression makes you feel that way, but I’m here, and I love you,” or “that’s a tough feeling to endure, I am here to support you through that.”

10. Repeat, Repeat, and Repeat

Telling your partner you love them, you’re attracted to them, and that they are special can all feel futile as they experience depression. Even if your partner doesn’t deem receptive, it’s important to still offer them affection. Your “no-strings-attached” affection creates a feeling of safety as they struggle with difficult emotions.

11. Practice Gratitude

It can be emotionally draining and feel unfair to experience a relationship with depression. Set a timer on your phone each day that reminds you to practice gratitude. During this moment, write down or mentally list one to three things you are grateful for. This act will help you regain perspective and encourage positive thinking–reducing stress and improving happiness.

12. Reach Out

It’s possible to feel overwhelmed by your partner’s experience with depression. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You can talk to a trusted friend, support group, or find a professional counselor to help you through your own emotions. Reaching out can help you practice your communication and build your coping skills.

13. Be the Team Captain

A relationship requires teamwork, and it’s rarely 50/50. When one team member is hurt, the other must sometimes take on more responsibilities to keep things moving. Depression makes it hard to focus, feel motivated, and do daily activities. Similar to if your partner broke their leg, you might need to amp up your contributions as they work through their symptoms of depression. After all, you’ll need their extra support one day too!

14. Find Compassion

Some days, it can be difficult to find compassion. You’re frustrated, overwhelmed, and feel under nurtured. Remind yourself that this person you love is hurting in a profound way. Their actions and behaviors are often due to the chemical imbalances in their brain caused by depression. Think of how hard it must be for them to feel sick and in pain every day, and dig deep to find compassion in those moments.

15. Go Together

If your partner is hesitant or lacking the drive to go to therapy or do other healthy activities– offer to do it together. For instance, engaging in online couples and marriage counseling services can be an excellent way for both partners to find external support and learn healthy coping mechanisms while avoiding the obstacle of convincing your partner to leave home. Similarly, getting your partner motivated to engage in activities like walks and dinners is easier when you go along with them.

16. Participate in Their Healing

If your partner is actively in therapy, they will be given homework assignments and tools for healing. Partners not in treatment may also adopt some self-care habits that help combat depression. Actively participating and even joining your partner in activities like journaling, meditation, and breathing techniques encourages them to engage in healing behaviors. As a bonus, you’ll gain mental health benefits along the way!

17. Watch Your Language

Despite the wide prevalence of mental illness, there is still some stigma attached. When discussing depression with your loved one, avoid using terms like “crazy” or “mental” to describe their experience. Depression is a physiological illness that is documented and as real as asthma or diabetes. With that in mind, be delicate when talking about it and refrain from making your partner feel flawed or weak. They are bravely weathering the storm, and they deserve to do so with dignity.

18. Stay Social

Some days, your partner may not feel like going out. Rather than isolating yourself socially, continue to maintain a social life. It may feel funny to go out without your partner, but socializing is an important activity for support, distraction, and revitalization.

19. Keep It Real

If your partner is getting worse and unwilling to participate in activities that contribute to their recovery– you may need to evaluate your relationship. Do your best to encourage them, support them, and offer to accompany them to any appointments. If none of these tactics work, have a direct conversation with your partner about your concerns. In some instances, you may need to reassess whether the relationship is working for both of you.

20. Keep an Eye Out

Many people with depression experience thoughts of suicide. It may not be possible to observe when people experience this internal struggle, but occasionally there are warning signs. If your partner is threatening to hurt themselves or suddenly becomes calm and at peace after a period of extreme sadness– you may want to reach out for professional help. You can also call the emergency mental health hotline by dialing 988 (in the United States).

21. Take a Deep Breath

Depression is draining to everyone involved. When symptoms are difficult, it may feel like it’s going to last forever. Remember that the severity is temporary, and there are many effective forms of treatment available (and many more being discovered). Building effective coping mechanisms with your partner (and on your own) will help you weather the storm. Relationships sometimes require a great deal of nurturing during difficult times. The contributions you make will benefit you both in the future.

Bottom Line

Depression robs people of many of the daily joys that we often take for granted. As the symptoms of depression wax and wane, they can create a great deal of stress on a relationship. Doing your best to learn how depression feels, communicating with your partner, and approaching your partner’s struggles with compassion are excellent strategies for managing this challenging disease. You can’t fix your partner’s depression or take away their pain, but you can offer an empathetic ear and emotional support. If you feel overwhelmed or concerned about your partner’s wellbeing, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help.


Lisa Batten, PhD, CPT, PN1

Dr. Lisa Batten has a master’s degree in clinical psychology and a Ph.D. in developmental psychology. She has over a decade of experience in clinical research and specializes in writing about mental health, wellness, nutrition, and fitness.

This article was originally posted here.