As a student nurse, I feel like I should really be mentioning a lot more posts about health promotion and awareness.
That’s why I’m going to do a Mental Health related post because its Mental Illness Awareness Week!
More specifically, today (October 10th) is National Depression Screening Day! So if you, or someone you know, has had an inkling that something is a bit off in their lives and that feeling doesn’t seem to resolve, there’s free screenings offered through the website “Help yourself. Help others.”
I’m not sure why there is such a stigma about depression, although no one can deny that it exists. People go through so much in their life times, its no wonder that the statistics for depression are so high.
I’d like to leave some of these statistics with you all so that you can become more aware of how problematic this health issue is, and why it needs to be talked about.
- 3 million men are affected by depression in the United States
- Men are 4 times as likely to die by suicide
- Women 18 to 45 years of age account for the largest proportion of people suffering from depression
- 10 percent to 15 percent of women experience a clinical depression during pregnancy or after the birth of a baby
- Latinos are more likely to present “somatic” symptoms of depression, like body aches and nervousness
- One out of four young adults will experience a depressive episode by age 24
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death for those aged 15-24 and the second leading cause of death of college students
- Depression affects more than 6.5 million of the 35 million Americans who are 65 years or older
The CDC has some more statistics and information about depression.
Depression can be caused by a variety or combination of different factors. No one chooses to be depressed. Start talking about it. Seek out resources about depression, especially those in your local community.
I recommend that you give Kevin Breel’s TED talk, “Confessions of a depressed comic” a listen as well.
I'm just Super Saiyan 
October 10, 2013 at 2:20 pm
Thank you so much for this informative and important post. Mental Health needs to have more importance in society today because I believe it is still a taboo thing to talk about. I see this a lot through my studies that most people don’t want to address their “feelings” with anyone and will continue to live in their depressed world without seeking any professional help. =) Thank you so much again for this!!
Also, thank you so much for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger award! I will get on it today <3 <3 I feel so lucky!!!!
October 10, 2013 at 2:24 pm
I’m glad we feel the same way. I’d like to start blogging a bit more about health promotion in general, I’m glad you had such positive feedback on this post Christina!
Also, you deserve all the awards girl.
October 10, 2013 at 2:26 pm
I want to be a clinical mental health counselor one day soon so I’m thankful there are informed people like you on this subject! <3
aww, you're the best!!! <3 ya!
October 10, 2013 at 2:30 pm
:3 No, yooou!
October 10, 2013 at 6:06 pm
Wow, great post. You are totally right. We don’t talk enough about it. I have dysthymia, which is similar to depressions..
The sad thing with our society is that they don’t accept depressions or dysthymia as a disease. I often hear from people or even friends “girl, sleep a night about it, you’ll be better” or “pull yourself together!” Or “you have to think positive and it will get better” .. It’s not simple as that and I don’t know how to teach them, cause when I explain them that it’s not so easy and that’s a disease not a negative phase which goes by in a few days. They look at me like “bitch please”. You can read on their faces that they don’t believe you and that they think you are acting to get more compassion..
So I stopped talking about it to people and let them think I’m fine..
October 10, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Empathy in general seems to be something that not all people have, unfortunately. Once again, I’m not sure why, because everyone goes through hardships in life – it shouldn’t be such a massive stretch to consider that someone is experiencing something you perhaps haven’t before. So solutions to their issues can be different to solutions you may use for your own. Judgement on the matter is just peculiar. I’m sorry that you got that kind of feed back; I have gotten similar feed back from others about my anxiety disorder as well. I think that if people just take the time to educate themselves it will slowly start to change social attitudes. But it all has to start with a conversation!
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me Chanel, I’m glad I am getting to know such a wonderful person!
October 10, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Fantastic post. Something I’ve had experience with, and that video is brilliant.
Great work :)
October 10, 2013 at 7:19 pm
Thanks man. I really enjoyed his talk – excellent speaker.
October 11, 2013 at 6:50 am
Serious, informative, passionate, and honest. Great find :)
October 11, 2013 at 4:08 am
Good post, my best friend was diagnosed as bipolar earlier this year – there definitely needs to be more awareness and understanding regarding how it affects people. Just being a friend to someone affected can make a difference.
October 11, 2013 at 9:09 am
I hope your friend stays strong, they are lucky to have you as support! A lot of people don’t have support in their lives, and I couldn’t agree with you more. Hopefully more people can take on this mindset.
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