Staying strong during Mental Health Awareness month, and year-round
For many, a general sense of melancholy and depression has prevailed over the United States and the world for a while now. It's apparent online, and in talking to people in person. Generally we seem to be holding steady, but it can be a struggle.
No matter who you are, there is a lot to worry about.
Unemployment is low in the U.S., but wages are stagnant, and not keeping pace with inflation. Many middle-aged people aren't where their parents were at their age and don't know when they can retire, and the Millennial generation may be the first in the country's history to not end up better off than their parents. The job market is changing and many are being phased out of longtime careers, forced to reinvent themselves. Young people don't know how to plan for the future, as it's hard to know what work fields to bank on. And it is much harder to break into careers - or even to obtain freelance gigs.
There are no uplifting stories in the news. Whether broadcast, in print or online, we are bombarded with tales of terrorism, corruption, evil deeds, thievery and other episodes that only serve to remind us of the worst of human nature. Misogyny and racism seem rampant, and day-to-day interactions between individuals, and individuals and entities/businesses seem to lie somewhere on a scale between rudeness/disrespect and completely ignoring the other party.
And these concerns are just the beginning of a long list.
On a few downtrodden occasions of my own lately, I've mentioned tough times to others, only to see their mask drop and their shoulders relax. With a suddenly-real face, they say "yes."
Many are living in hard circumstances now, which can result in situational depression. Clinical depression rates are up too. And the relative social isolation that comes with living in a phone-obsessed, text-only world only increases the challenge. Who can we call or hang out with? From whom can we get a hug? Everyone seems to be too busy for such things these days.
The critical thing to remember during depressive or down moments is to push back against them. Don't become swallowed up by negative feelings; take action and keep fighting.
Depression is not rational, but many who suffer from it try to make sense of it. "I shouldn't feel this way," and "what's wrong with me?" are common thoughts for those clubbed by this disease. But like any illness, there is no making sense of it. And since depression can swallow people up whole, it is especially important to stand up to it.
Clinical depression - and circumstantial depression at times - shuts a person down. Stay in bed all day? Sure. Talk to other people? No way. In fact, the motivation to do anything is completely absent. Might as well have someone sitting on your chest, because that's how heavy it feels. Any movement requires effort because every situation seems hopeless.
This is why rising up and doing SOMETHING seems like such a ludicrous thing to say to depression sufferers. But it's the way to go - the only way.
Coping mechanisms for depression are as varied as the population. Exercising, journaling, listening to music, talking to a friend or family member and drawing are just some of the methods used to combat the darkness. For some with depression, medication and/or therapy might be necessary. Each person has to figure out what works best for her or him. Taking the time to identify those tactics is the first step. Pushing yourself to jump in comes after that.
Take small steps. Get up, get dressed, make a phone call. Exercise, sit in nature, pull out a pen and paper. Small steps eventually add up to long distances traveled.
Perhaps most importantly, remember that it will get better with every step. Action gets results. Keep trying, keep fighting; don't give up. When all seems hopeless, take one more step, and then another and another. Don't worry about where you've been and don't stress about what comes next.
Keep walking.
No matter who you are, there is a lot to worry about.
Unemployment is low in the U.S., but wages are stagnant, and not keeping pace with inflation. Many middle-aged people aren't where their parents were at their age and don't know when they can retire, and the Millennial generation may be the first in the country's history to not end up better off than their parents. The job market is changing and many are being phased out of longtime careers, forced to reinvent themselves. Young people don't know how to plan for the future, as it's hard to know what work fields to bank on. And it is much harder to break into careers - or even to obtain freelance gigs.
There are no uplifting stories in the news. Whether broadcast, in print or online, we are bombarded with tales of terrorism, corruption, evil deeds, thievery and other episodes that only serve to remind us of the worst of human nature. Misogyny and racism seem rampant, and day-to-day interactions between individuals, and individuals and entities/businesses seem to lie somewhere on a scale between rudeness/disrespect and completely ignoring the other party.
And these concerns are just the beginning of a long list.
On a few downtrodden occasions of my own lately, I've mentioned tough times to others, only to see their mask drop and their shoulders relax. With a suddenly-real face, they say "yes."
Many are living in hard circumstances now, which can result in situational depression. Clinical depression rates are up too. And the relative social isolation that comes with living in a phone-obsessed, text-only world only increases the challenge. Who can we call or hang out with? From whom can we get a hug? Everyone seems to be too busy for such things these days.
The critical thing to remember during depressive or down moments is to push back against them. Don't become swallowed up by negative feelings; take action and keep fighting.
Depression is not rational, but many who suffer from it try to make sense of it. "I shouldn't feel this way," and "what's wrong with me?" are common thoughts for those clubbed by this disease. But like any illness, there is no making sense of it. And since depression can swallow people up whole, it is especially important to stand up to it.
Clinical depression - and circumstantial depression at times - shuts a person down. Stay in bed all day? Sure. Talk to other people? No way. In fact, the motivation to do anything is completely absent. Might as well have someone sitting on your chest, because that's how heavy it feels. Any movement requires effort because every situation seems hopeless.
This is why rising up and doing SOMETHING seems like such a ludicrous thing to say to depression sufferers. But it's the way to go - the only way.
Coping mechanisms for depression are as varied as the population. Exercising, journaling, listening to music, talking to a friend or family member and drawing are just some of the methods used to combat the darkness. For some with depression, medication and/or therapy might be necessary. Each person has to figure out what works best for her or him. Taking the time to identify those tactics is the first step. Pushing yourself to jump in comes after that.
Take small steps. Get up, get dressed, make a phone call. Exercise, sit in nature, pull out a pen and paper. Small steps eventually add up to long distances traveled.
Perhaps most importantly, remember that it will get better with every step. Action gets results. Keep trying, keep fighting; don't give up. When all seems hopeless, take one more step, and then another and another. Don't worry about where you've been and don't stress about what comes next.
Keep walking.
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