How You Can Do Something About Depression

The tragedy of Robin Williams.  What kind of paradoxical phrase is that?  I’m so sad.  Even angry.  

But I'm not angry with him.

If you understand depression, would you explain it to someone today?  I mean, if you understand the hold it can have on people.  The irrationality it bathes people in.  If you have even the slightest grasp on how powerful a grip it can have on people… Would you please explain that to someone who doesn’t get it?
Because there are a lot of people who don’t understand.

photo credit: aguscr via photopin cc

There are a lot of people who have never considered how out-of-control depression feels.  It’s easier to look at manic behavior or the bad decisions a person makes.  It’s easier to compare your own feelings with theirs and roll your eyes.  Why can’t they just be happier?  Why can’t they see reality?

Ugh.  I wish it was that easy.  

If someone you care about has told you they suffer from depression, and you don’t really know what that means - take 5 minutes and look it up on webmd or mayoclinic.com. (I linked you up; just click on one of those.) It won’t take long.  Read some of the facts.  Find out what it means.  Educate yourself and then educate someone else. 

The only way we can help as a society is if we try to wrap our brains around how this works.  I feel like there could hope for healing if community steps up, around the people who face this daily, and walk with them looking for answers.  Could we at least have some more compassion and admit that we have a long way to go?  

I’m so sad about the loss of a great entertainer.  I’m sad for his family and his friends and everyone who saw what was happening and couldn’t do anything, because the grip was too tight. 

People, we have got to weaken that grip. Our country needs educated. You can do something.