"DepressioNet" Forced to Close Its Doors

DepressioNet, an online resource for people living with depression, was been forced to close its doors on Tuesday due to the perceived costly implications of legal action being taken against the Not for Profit.

DepressioNet sent out a notice to all its supporters on Thursday (11/03) saying the organisation had been placed into Voluntary Administration due to legal proceedings.

It says the administrators, chartered accountants PKF, had spent the previous 24 hours trying to negotiate with the claimant but they were unsuccessful forcing DepressioNet to close its doors.

The organisation says although it was in a strong financial position it has an ethical commitment and responsibility to all its donors that all funds donated are used solely to benefit people impacted by depression across Australia.

DepressioNet says it will not use these funds to pay out a claimant or future legal fees and that is the reason for the closure. As well all recurring donations have been cancelled.

DepressioNet CEO, Terry Houguet-Pincham told friends and colleagues on the social networking site, Facebook that he was incredibly sad the organisation has closed. He lamented that he was unemployed and looking for a new job.

A spokesperson for PKF said she could not give any details about the legal action and that as administrators they would be in contact with any creditors in the near future.

The DepressioNet website and 24 hour service was created in June 2000 to provide a comprehensive resource place for people living with depression to come for all their information, help and support needs. Within 6 months, and without any active promotion, the DepressioNet website became the most visited Australian Health & Medical information website.

It was designed to fill a vital need for people with depression to be able to communicate anonymously with others who know first hand the challenges of depression.