Program helps young girls, women deal with depression

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Fighting depression can be a life long battle and young girls and women can be especially vulnerable. 

But a Bay Area organization is changing the tide of depression, and changing the lives of young girls and women. Dyeronda Gay started the faith-based organization, Circle of Completion two years ago to help young girls and adult women deal with personal issues.

It began as a way to help her daughter, whose friend committed suicide in middle school. Gay lost her father to suicide five years ago and even tried to commit suicide once herself. 

"My daughter experienced in middle school one of her friends commit suicide," Gay said. "There was a tremendous amount of guilt, pain, embarrassment."

As a certified professional live coach, she knew the struggles first-hand and knew she had to tailor a program specifically for her target audience.  

"Following a generation pattern just being tired of being sick and tired I to tried to attempt suicide," Gay explained.

Meeting to fight against the negative forces of life.

Gay's support groups now meet to help girls and women fight the negative forces in life, and in their own minds. They tackle issues of depression, self-esteem and bullying.

Leana Harrington and her younger sister, Lanae both said the program works for them. 

"It has given me like a reason to smile more," 14-year-old Lanae said.

And Gay's daughter, 12-year-old Khayla said the program is just what she needed. 

 "The best thing is that it is a place where girls can feel comfortable talking," Khayla said.

 During the sessions, Dyeronda said she sees her daughter in each girl she works with. 

"I want you to leave feeling encouraged, inspired, uplifted, and better than you did when you came." she said to a group. 

The groups are a path to change through counseling, compassion and prayer.

"I made a promise to God that no other women, young lady, or young girl will have to go through and walk the path that I had to walk," Gay said.

The group meets once a month and is open to all women. For more information, visit www.circleofcompletion.com.