The lack of social awareness regarding the debilitating effects of depression is prompting Chinese patients to go online to support each other with much-needed sympathy.

Most importantly, on micro-blogging sites like Sina Weibo, support groups offer the depression sufferer a listening ear.

Plumbing the depths of despair?

At a glance?

"People around us know too little about depression, and suffering depression in such a society is very lonely," says a 43-year-old man surnamed Guo in Jiangsu province, the initiator of an online support group.

"We need understanding and support, at least among ourselves."

Guo suffered depression in 2010 but is now fully recovered. When he was ill, he started chatting with other patients online to ease his discomfort, and he found solace apart from medication and therapy sessions.

There are forums and groups that often have hundreds to thousands of members, according to Guo, but the content is not always uplifting, positive or constructive. That inspired Guo to create a forum on Sina Weibo to deliver the correct messages about depression.

"Depression is a disease that changes our body and mind. It is not like we want to be happy and we will be happy," Guo says.

"Many people talk mostly about their pathetic experiences, and that just makes us even gloomier. We need medication and treatment, not self-pity, and I want others to know that."

Sun Yuxiao, a therapist in Beijing, observes that while the number of patients with depression has grown in the past decade, there are also increased government and non-government programs to educate the public about depression, and to offer help to patients with depression.

Sun has been volunteering with several charity programs in providing free consultations for those who are depressed, or those with a tendency to get depressed.

More companies are also realizing the importance of keeping their employees psychologically healthy, and they have started investing in related facilities, lectures, consultation, and training sessions to make staff feel happier and less pressured, Sun says.

"Depressed people see the world through very dark lenses," Sun says. "Their life lacks sunshine, and it is up to the people around them to lend an ear and show them the light."