Depression is not the end, It's a bend
Mental health and wellness covers a wide range of areas and issues, mental health awareness is becoming more mainstream as the days pass. Every human is to be aware of their mental state and should constantly be taking steps and making decisions to improve and maintain their mental wellness. Just like physical illness, mental illness could be potentially crippling to a person and their ability to carry out simple everyday tasks.
For example, if a person were exposed to cold and mosquito bites and thereafter came down with a fever, cold and malaria. We would probably look at that person with empathy tending to them, caring for them, understanding that because they are ill they may not be able to the everyday things that we do so effortlessly, because their bodies (in that moment) was failing them. In the same vain, a person with failing mental health issues is incapable sometimes of functioning without help.
Imagine a room with four large windows in the peak of day, the blinds are open; the weather is nice so nice that you may even think to yourself it seems like a good day to go to the beach, or even walk around in nature and observe God's greatnessÂ. You look around your room and it is warm, hearty and ultimately flooded with light, the amazing sun light! Then slowly but suddenly (suddenly only because in the back of your mind you didn't want the sun to down nor did you believe it would) the sun is covered by such thick clouds that not even a single ray can get in, and now it's dark and cold in your room that was once bright and hearty. Then, slowly but surely the blinds close and then door, and now it is so dark and so cold, you want to get out, you want to see the sun. You try to find the door, you stumble knocking things down arms stretched but with each step to the door its seems like the door steps further back and finally the fear takes over and you crouch in a safe spot, but it's cold, dark, lonely and no one knows you're there.
That to me is the most vivid picture of depression. Depression is a paralyzing illness and just like every other health issue should be dealt with with tact, science, empathy and faith. We may not all be directly related to or in touch with something who is suffering from depression but we can all educate ourselves on mental health issues and signs to look out for in others that may indicate that the people we love might be struggling with depression.
Here are some signs a person may exhibit that may indicate depression
÷ Constant feeling or expression of unworthiness or helplessness
÷ Insomnia: Not being able to go bed or stay asleep
÷ Overeating or loss of appetite ( Either ends of the scale is not a good sign)
÷ Suicidal thoughts or expression of those thoughts
÷ Trouble concentrating, remembering detail or deciding
The list is long but above are a few of the indicators. (This is not to say that everyone who struggles with one or a few of things is suffering from depression but it is not a ruled out possibility).
You may now be thinking, boy this article has taken me through a wide range of feelings and at some point there it was too real but I still don't know how to get myself out of that dark, cold room or I don't know how to help my friend or sister or brother or whoever out that ugly place. Don't worry I gotchu!!
Lets start with the DON'TS
If you're in the room
÷ Don't lose faith, don't lose hope: Remember how I mentioned before that faith is important to pull through any health issue? It applies here, the room may look dark, you may hear no voices outside calling your name, encouraging you but you are not alone. Someone is out there who cares, HOLD ON TO HOPE!! If you there is no human person Jesus is always calling, knocking, waiting right outside the door, you've got Jesus!
If you're on the other side of the door
÷ Don't minimize their pain: Mental illness is hard to see and sometimes hard to empathize with but it is real and it is bad. So don't invalidate their feelings because you don't understand it.
÷ Don't dismiss their feelings: Saying things like well life is not fair and just shake it off is ragging on a person with a broken leg for not winning a race.
÷ Don't make it about yourself: Oh you're dragging me down or you're making this place or these dull or uncomfortable. These are things you should refrain from saying.
÷ Don't Sympathize with them: That's so sad or I hope you feel better soon.
Let's hop to the DOS.
If you're in the room
÷ Do have faith and try each day to stay positive: Hold on to your faith, people who hold on to recognize that there's something to live for have a higher chance of pulling through and coming out on the other like than people who don't.
÷ Take life one day at a time, one moment at a time
÷ Talk to the people closest to you who truly care: The lie the depression tells you is that you are alone and no one can help, but it's simply that A LIE!
÷ Eat better and exercise more: You are thinking what? How does that help? I will not go into the science of that but trust me it does!
÷ Set little goals and accomplish them
÷ Participate in something bigger than yourself, something that adds to the greater good. DOING GOOD MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD!
If you're on the other side of the door
÷ Empathize with them: This is different from sympathy, here you put yourself in their shoes and instead of saying that's so sad you say how can I help? or instead of saying I hope you feel better soon you say I'm here for you.
÷ Remind them they are valued and if you can pick out specific things specular to them that you value
÷ Be present: when you spend time with them be completely devoted no distractions
÷ Offer to listen or if you know a licensed professional they can talk to your friend
ABOVE ALL, KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS!
BY: Jesuoluwatomisin Osho
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