About Depression – Depression is NOT a first-world problem. Each year, 30,000 Americans die by suicide. In two thirds of these cases, depression is an underlying factor. In any given year, 6.7 percent of the adult population will experience a major depressive episode.
For those who are not part of the 6.7 percent, it’s impossible to understand what someone with depression really goes through. Lack of awareness and education surrounding mental illness, and gross inaccuracies in the media inevitably result in misinformation.
Below, I hope to clarify some of the myths associated with depression, along with some examples of what NOT to say to someone who is depressed.