Depression is hard to talk about. It’s a little bit ‘look at the floor and mumble my words’ awkward. It’s the elephant in the room that just won’t walk out the door. It’s what goes on behind closed doors and is whispered about in private. It’s what happens to ‘other people’. But it’s about time that depression came out of the closet. It’s not dirty, it’s not rare and it’s nothing to be ashamed about. It’s more common than you think and it doesn’t mean that you’re the exception to the rule. Here are five reasons why it’s important and ok to talk about it.
1. It shines a light on the darkness
Turn on the light and darkness scuttles. The darkness loves secrets – can’t get enough of them. With no one to see them they can they breed and multiply without any effort. The lies and guilt can grow until they almost become truths.
But shine a light on your darkness and it’s got nowhere left to hide. The lies can no longer be spoken over your life and you can regain some much needed control.
When it comes to depression, shining a light on your darkness means exposing it. It stands for admitting that everything is not ok and that you want to take steps to tackle it. It’s putting aside your pride, clinging to hope and believing that there is better for you and that you do not have to feel like this forever.
2. It causes change to avalanche
With everything out in the open, change can commence. Change is revolutionary. Change is transformational. But change is not easy. Personally, change does not come naturally to me, I quite like my comfort zone, it’s safe and familiar. But familiarity never helped me to win the battle against depression. Neither did staying in my comfort zone. No, I had to say yes to change. I needed to admit out loud to myself and to others that I wanted things to adjust, to be different. I wanted more for my future. Change doesn’t happen overnight but small steps (sometimes two forward and one back) got things moving. This could mean a manner of different things to you but it’s not necessarily the ‘how’ you go about it, it’s the fact that you’re doing it at all that matters.
3. It is not a taboo
The media has fed you a lie. It’s told you to hide your depression, to keep it to yourself. It’s told you that it’s ugly and that no one wants to hear about it. This is NOT true. 1 in 4 people will suffer from depression at some point in their lives. In real terms, that’s 15 out of every 60 students sat in a lecture theatre, that’s 50 of your Facebook friends and 25 guests at a wedding. Depression is not a taboo. Keeping depression quiet will only fuel the flame. Depression is being tackled by people from every walk of life. It knows no gender, age, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation or religious preference. It doesn’t care how much money you earn, whether you’re married or single or what you believe. It can affect everyone.
4. It builds and strengthens support networks
Never underestimate the power of people. The strength of love, friendship and community. I’m not necessarily talking only about counsellors, doctors and other professionals, but your family, friends and colleagues as well.
We were not created to live alone. We were created to do life with other people. To experience it together. Speaking to your nearest and dearest about depression is tough. Despite the fact that it’s one of the hardest things that I’ve every had to do, it was also one of the most freeing moments of my life. Don’t rob yourself of the blessing that these people could be by pre-empting their reactions. You have nothing to lose, but so much to potentially gain.
5. You are not alone
You are not the first person who’s ever suffered with depression and you won’t be the last. I don’t say this to belittle what you are going through or what I have been through, but to encourage you and to give you hope.
Realising and understanding that you are not alone create ripples in the water. These may be small at first but can be mighty in your battle to calm the waves of depression. It equips you, empowers you and changes the course of your future.
So yes, it’s ok to talk about depression. It’s important. It’s the start of your incredible journey to find healing, hope and harmony. I’m on this journey and I’ve never looked back.
Written by Jess Wilson
TweetMe @msjesswilson