I've been in a php since march for mdd and self harm. when i'm struggling with depression i have a hard time dealing with trusting staff here to help and i shut down. ideas how i can get past this?

I would candid about: How hard it is to trust. This will allow the issue of trusting to be explored rather than avoiding it by shutting down. Take care.

Breathing in and out: I think it is hard to trust when severely depressed; but if there are some there who seem trustworthy if you didn't tend to "shut down, " then hands-over-heart breathing (http://www.Creativebalance.Com/hanovhearbre.Html) might make it easier to talk. I've also known it to be easier for some people to talk while walking outside.