It’s Time to Have a Serious Conversation About Mental Health

Have you ever felt all the doors closed around you and claustrophobic in a way that seems to stifle the very breath of your body?

Then, everything you try, every step you take, turns out to be wrong. You become surrounded by a pall of negativity. You feel cheated, defeated. You remember a time when you trusted the world. But then, the world betrayed you, and now you are left all alone.

Friendships become betrayals, and deception is the norm rather than the exception. Even your inner voice begins to belittle you. Whether it’s money, relationships, or work, you feel inadequate in every aspect. Survival itself becomes a challenge.

But you gave this world your very best! And all it gave you in return was damage, uncertainty, and loneliness. You realize your life could have been a journey of a lifetime. Instead, now it’s a burden that you must lug along from dusk to dawn. 

If that’s how you’ve been feeling lately, believe me when I say you’re not alone. Everyone has been there.

Depression Is Real

Depression, anxiety and related problems have become a global health crisis at the moment. According to experts, around 5% of the global adult population lives with depression. But sadly, less than 25% of these people get the required treatment.

And that’s because most people equate depression with just “being sad.” The truth is that depression is not a state of being unhappy, it’s a serious mental disorder where the very essence and energy of your life are sapped away.

A person suffering from depression feels alone and empty. For them, acceptance becomes a thing of desperation, and they yearn for someone to listen to them. They feel empty, spent, and defeated. Confidence is replaced by insecurity, and their entire world seems to shrink around them.

Trouble is, I’ve found that in most cases, depression is not taken seriously. This debilitating disease is treated with ignorance, irrationality, and most often ridicule all over the world. “Just go and hang out with friends,” is sometimes the suggested remedy.

Unfortunately, it does not work that way. I know because I’ve been there, and I’m not ashamed to say it in the hopes that it will help others.

Depression is as deadly as cancer, and at times it can be as deadly. I’ve felt this darkness around me, I’ve lived through the pain it inflicts upon the soul, and I know that there are millions like me who need the help but don’t get it.

When you’re suffering from depression, your mind begins to shut down. You only focus on your hurt, your defeats, and your mistakes. Life becomes a burden, and hope is replaced with the futility of failure. Ultimately, you just let go and surrender to the hopelessness of it all.

This is a very dangerous situation, as it can lead to life-threatening results. That’s why I believe it’s time to come out of the shell of ignorance and deal with depression the right way. It’s time to break the taboo around mental health conversations and talk about the problem.

In many cases, mental health has been treated casually, as if it were something to be ashamed of. It isn’t, especially in today’s fast-changing digital world. It is a real disease, and we must approach it with intelligence, understanding, and, above all, empathy.

Be There For Them

When someone is suffering from the pangs of depression, they are extremely vulnerable and in pain. In such times, the one thing that they hope to find is someone who can empathize with them, someone who can understand their pain. Otherwise, they frequently reach their breaking point, that point of no return that, in most cases, results in drastic measures such as suicide.

So, what should someone do if a near and dear one is caught in this trap? The very first thing to do is to be there for them, to help them, to listen to them. By treating them with the compassion they require, you can often bring them back from the brink of death. 

Suicide due to depression is a leading cause of death in adults worldwide, and my foundation is working to find solutions. And the taboo around this disorder is almost similar in most nations. Adults suffering from depression seldom get the help they need.

And it’s not only adults but also minors, teenagers who are often suffering from this condition, and they can’t even put a finger on the problem. That is why it’s important to keep an eye out on your near and dear ones to ensure that they are not being eaten from the inside by this disorder.

And, if you’re the one feeling depressed, what should you do?  

First and foremost, seek help from someone you trust, someone you know can support you. Because we cannot see ourselves without a mirror, without reflection from someone else. So, if you can find someone who you trust completely, it becomes half the battle won.

By doing this, you effectively create an outlet to remind yourself that you are worth the time and effort of living. Often, by seeking help, you can hear the words you least expect to hear. Then, all you need to do is listen and rewire yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The Mind Needs Control  

When dealing with depression, you must remember one thing: it doesn’t just happen. It’s when life events combine and collide in a way you never expected. Everyone’s depression story is different, but the process of recovery remains the same. 

You always need to remind yourself who you are, what you’re worth to your near and dear ones, and also to the world. You should also keep in mind the way the world operates; no one but you will fully understand your pain. But that’s OK, for as long as you seek help, help will come. 

So, don’t fall back, build up your inner strength, and remember that your courage lies within. Always speak of victory, never defeat. Be resilient, diligent, and defiant every moment. And remember the crux of the matter: don’t let your mind control you. Instead, control your mind, and you’ll find that you can control the world.

Always trust in the higher power that looks after us all and build up your empire again. Even if you have to begin from scratch, no matter. Put in the effort, and create success where failure once dwelled. You always had the blueprint; it just took a detour.

Be bold, be brave, and be fearless. And never, ever give up.

At the end of the day, I’ll always be rooting for you, just as you did for me.

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