IT'S TIME TO TALK

Dear society. Consider this an open letter.

It's the taboo that people want to ignore. It's the taboo that isn't sexy or appealing; you don't feel a sense of daring when you get close to it. There's no thrill involved. It's the leading cause of suicide worldwide when it isn't diagnosed. It's depression, and it's okay.

There are far too many misconceptions about depression and other mental health issues. If you're depressed you're just sad. You can't be depressed if you seem happy on the outside. You're weak if you admit to being depressed. If you say you're depressed you just want attention. If you're depressed you should just get over it. People are dying around the world so you should stop being depressed and be grateful. If you're depressed, just pray. These examples have barely grazed the surface of the issue, and while it's incredible to think that in the 21st century people can still have this attitude, it's also worth mentioning that education has paved the way for a better understanding of what depression is and is contributing to the slow but sure acceptance of it in society.
To say depression is okay isn't shrugging it off. It's saying that it's okay to feel like that and that no matter who you are, you're not alone. It's an old cliché but the first step really is to accept that you've got a problem. Only then can you go about seeking help, and people nowadays have the benefit of numerous helplines and charities that are dedicated to providing support and counselling to people who feel vulnerable.

“I'm depressed” has now become almost synonymous with “I'm sad” and it's important to know that they are not the same thing. When people throw the word 'depression' around like it's as banal as boredom, the issue becomes diluted and seems trivialised. While self-diagnosing helps you identify symptoms before you can go see a professional, a small fraction of people assume that going through a brief rough patch equates to what so many people severely suffer from on a daily basis.

“But you're only 15. How can you be depressed?” Depression knows no age, or sex, or race. The terrifying thing about it is that it can happen to anyone from all walks of life. The notion that it's just a bad mood than can be prayed away is prevalent in Asian communities where mental health issues are more taboo than in their Western equivalents. If you find solace in God and prayer when you are suffering, more power to you, but allow it to work side by side with counselling or medication. Thanks to modern science, there is a better understanding of the way the human brain functions and the chemicals that cause certain feelings. Anti-depressants aren't your ball and chain. It doesn't make you a weak person to resort to medication. Would you tell someone with diabetes that they're weak for taking insulin?

When a young person feels alone and unwanted, they spend more time on the internet than outdoors. However, with the internet being as heavily accessible as it is, playground bullies have now become cyber bullies. It's easy enough to tell a child to walk away from the computer if someone is sending them hateful messages but more often than not all it takes is one message to shatter someone's self-esteem. Telling them it's their fault is not the answer. Taking away their internet access – their only outlet – is not the answer. Talking to them, allowing them to open up and understanding that people as young as 5 can experience depression is what protocol should dictate.
It's time to dispel myths about depression. Let your loved ones know that if they're hurting, you are there for them. It's daunting; how do you tackle an issue that has no symptoms, or has too many? It may take days, it may take weeks. It may take years. Being depressed isn't a fashion statement; people need to be serious about it if they want it to be taken seriously. We need to realise that just because millions of people around the world are dying because of war or disease, it doesn't make your feelings any less valid. It's time to realise that we are humans, and sometimes we are hurt. And that's okay because we're not alone in this, and the sooner we accept that, the sooner we can put an end to the suffering. It's time to talk about depression, because talking about depression is okay.