It’s one thing to talk about depression and recognize its seriousness, but actually experiencing the journey is entirely different.
Those that feel like they are unable to help can try to understand by placing themselves in the other person’s shoes.
Here it is… This is what it’s like.
Sam Deverell is a 20-year-old university student that tries to help others by sharing his personal experience. Sam had depression for 6 years; even when he was in elementary school and high school, which is a crucial time for social and cognitive development.
So what may it be like to live everyday with depression?
“When you’re going throughout your day, it’s like there’s this cloud in the middle of your head blocking your thoughts to feel nothing and it stops you from thinking…. Almost like it’s there to biologically save you until you are able to understand it later in your life,” says Sam Deverell.
Being depressed means being stuck in your own head, which only makes one overthink and unsure of everything around them. The state makes it hard for you to relate with people so it becomes hard to make friends and pinpoint what’s wrong.
London’s Defeat Depression Campaign tries to bring people together through its annual Walk and Talk for Mental Health event. The event includes a short walk, followed by activities, food, and a guest speaker. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness, de-stigmatize, and raise funds to provide the necessary mental health services within our communities.
Communicating is the most important part to relieve stress, understand yourself, and if need be, connect to necessary resources. London doesn’t want to see people walking alone through this.
Sam waited 5 years before reaching out to anyone. At the end of the day, the people in his life were what helped him the most.
“Depression is a huge issue in Canada, 8 out of 10 Canadians are affected by depression and we need programs to make a difference,” says Ken Porter, the Program Manager of Mood Disorders Society of Canada. “90 percent of people who have depression don’t go out and seek treatment…meanwhile 80% of the people that do get help can be cured.”
We need to start trying to understand those with depression and the challenges they face because of it. It’s important to listen but talking goes a long way to.
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