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:

How To Spot Depression In Your Family And Friends

abnormal psychology

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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

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