Stop belittling depression

I feel the need to address all guilt trippers on the internet lately.

We're all in this crisis together. Some people are happy for the time off. Others are struggling to keep it together.

But to say something like "Oh, you hate staying home, well there are people who wish they HAD a home".

Seriously?

Some think they're helping by giving these "pep talks", others try to make you feel guilty for having depressed thoughts.

Yes, there will always be people who have it worse than you. I get that. But is another's misfortune supposed to make us feel better?

We're told to be grateful for what we have. To be happy that we have a roof over our heads and food in our bellies. As if that's the miracle cure.

But if all it takes to be happy and depression free is money, then why are there so many celebrity suicides? Why are people who have it all ending their lives? Surely, they should be happy, right?

Wrong.

Because mental illness doesn't care how much stuff you have. It doesn't care what gender you are, what race you are, who you sleep with or if you’re religious or an atheist.

It destroys indiscriminately.

It's no wonder there are so many people with mental health issues in the world. The moment we show the slightest sign of being unhappy, we are told to "suck it up" or "it could be worse".

We must pretend everything is rainbows and butterflies so we don't look selfish to the holier than thou people who don't understand us. We're expected to keep it to ourselves, lest we be labelled attention seekers.

Screw that.

Depression is real and it's debilitating. You feel it everywhere in your body.

You can't make it magically disappear. Poof!

For those who need to hear it...

You're allowed to be sad. You're allowed to be angry. You struggle every day with your own damaging thoughts and it's an ongoing battle.

It's not your fault.

I'll never make you feel bad for being depressed. I know what it's like to feel so hopeless that you think your only option is to end your life. I've been there.

But remember...

There are people who care about you and love you. People who understand. You're never alone.

We can get through this.