How to Save a Life

depression

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Losing someone we love is never easy, and it's especially heartbreaking when it's due to mental health struggles. My friends and I recently lost someone special, and it's made us realize how important it is to talk about mental health and support those around us.

When someone is battling Depression, it's difficult to know what they're going through or how they're interpreting things. False evidence can appear real, and the PAIN they feel is OVERWHELMING and VALID. If we could take the weight off his shoulders or burden off his heart, we would. But the truth is, our loved one wouldn't want us to dwell on what-ifs or the past. He'd want us to remember him with love and joy, and to help others overcome their own battles with mental health.

So, what can we do? First, let's start by accepting the situation and acknowledging what the person is going through (with sensitivity and without judgments, please). Let's be aware of the signs that someone might be struggling:

Challenging the Societal Pressure to Get Married

depression




Have you ever wondered why there's so much pressure to get married, even though it's not a requirement?

It's like a weight that suddenly falls upon you the moment you hit 25 and enter the realm of adulthood. The quarter-life crisis hits you like a tidal wave, and you find yourself grappling with responsibilities you never thought much about before.

You're expected to secure a good job, earn a certain amount of money, and, of course, find a life partner. But let's be honest, getting married doesn't hold the same importance as building a successful career or creating a better life for yourself. Yet, those around you seem to believe that hitting a certain age automatically means it's time to settle down and start a family.

I've personally experienced this firsthand. I've been with my husband for 12 years, including our time as girlfriend and boyfriend. When I was single, I constantly faced relentless questioning about when I would settle down. Now that I'm in a committed relationship, I understand why people are curious about it, but I, too, had my own uncertainties. I had no clue when my partner would pop the question, and I eagerly anticipated that moment. Social gatherings became a breeding ground for constant pressure and interrogations.

But here's the thing: regardless of whether that proposal comes when expected or not, the lingering feeling of needing to get married takes a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. It becomes an additional burden amidst all the other significant responsibilities and pressures life throws at you.

How To Spot Depression In Your Family And Friends

abnormal psychology

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Amidst the chaos of the pandemic, openly discussing about worries and fears is vital at this time. Mental health awareness can pull a body away from the drowning waves of negative emotions. With no access to Psychiatric drugs or face-to-face therapy, how can you spot depression?

 Since my background is in Psychology, my friends and loved ones feel safe to divulge the stories of their lives. I listen to their problems and provide ways to help them cope. When two of my close friends were diagnosed with depression, I immediately noticed the changes in their behavior and thought patterns. A physical condition such as an infected wound is easy to spot, but depression is another story.

Little do you know that mental illnesses such as depression is persistent in the Philippines. In fact, the suicide rate in the country is 2.5% for males and 1.7% in females (per 100,000 people)! Worldwide, close to 800,000 people die by suicide every year says WHO. You can only imagine these stats increasing as we are in the climax of a crisis. 

 Depression is more than just the grave feelings of sadness. It is a serious mental illness that negatively affects one’s overall functioning. The experience of depression varies for each individual. While others may feel scared with their impending doom, some may feel apathetic about the entire situation. Evidence have shown that men have a tendency to feel restless and angry when they are depressed.

 Read more: DEPRESSION, AWARENESS AND COPING: KNOW DEPRESSION, NO STIGMA

ASK ANNA #8: Handling Self-Loathing And Emptiness

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Click the title to read more. Visit Ask Anna Page to find out how to ask!
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Feline asks...

 Lately, I feel like I'm useless and I can't do anything right. Sometimes, I'm very sensitive and I'm very ashamed because I think everyone thinks I do not do anything good. I kind of hate myself.

Additionally, I've seen my parents argue in front of me because of my father's infidelity and I start to feel empty and lacks to do anything. It also seems like i can't feel extreme emotions anymore. I just feel empty.

 Can you help me? And thank you in advance.

Artist Transforms Mental Disorders Into Illustrated Monsters

abnormal psychology

By: Anna Agoncillo
Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)
In 2013, an artist by the name of Toby Allen created the artworks of "real life monsters" that had been crippling the lives of several people.

 His intention is not to make light of these serious mental disorders but instead; he wanted these so-called monsters to appear more manageable and relatable. True enough, these mental disorders are more manageable with the guidance of qualified professionals that suitable use treatments such as Psychotherapy and Psychopharmacology. 

 See his imaginative creations here:

 1. ANXIETY

Depression, Awareness and Coping: Know depression, No Stigma

author's opinion
By: Anna Agoncillo and BreakDStigma
Image Credits: Mateus Lucena via Flickr
Understanding the Big D
1 in 17 people in Singapore languished Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) at some point in their lives (Institute of Mental Health, 2013). Despite its prevalence, only a few people seek help because they are afraid of the social stigma or labels that can be placed on them.

We as human beings fear the unknown. Hence, the lack of adequate knowledge on mental illnesses lead to increase in fear, negative sentiments, and social stigma.

This is why, it is very important to educate society and heighten awareness about how serious depression is. Understanding depression will help build a more empathetic and supportive environment wherein depressed individuals will feel safe to share their experiences and seek treatment.

Loss, Grief, and Coping: Rest in Paradise

annie agoncillo
By: Anna Agoncillo
They say that first cut is the deepest, but the second one feels as deep. My grandfather died last year, and now my grandmother who was battling Lung Cancer is gone.

Theoretical Basis of Bereavement

You might be familiar with the Kübler-Ross's 5 stages of grief. According to this model, we go through different stages during our bereavement namely: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance (Santrock, 2007). Although there are specific stages, the sequence is not fixed (Axelrod, 2006). Nonetheless, the end result is peaceful acceptance.

On the other hand, George Bonanno argues that there are no stages to go through because of our natural reaction to grief, called resilience (Bonanno, 2004).
Hold on! She's on her way to Paradise.

They say that first cut is the deepest, but the second one feels as deep. My grandfather died last year, and now my grandmother who was battling Lung Cancer is gone.

At first, I was in denial. When my mom told me about my grandmother’s passing, I didn’t even cry. I just told her to be strong and that I’m glad that she’s in a better place now. But, I felt the heaviness in my chest.

I thought I was emotionally strong because I was mentally prepared for the worst. You see, the doctors had given her 4 days to live.

As I was telling my friends about the big news, my tears rushed down. It’s reality hitting me in the head. She’s gone. I can no longer taste the food she cooks, nor can I hear her say she loves me.

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