Break the Stigma around Depression: Here are 5 things you can do

Imagine the trauma of a man who is supposed to act ‘manly’ all his life and can’t cry or complain about his problems ever, a woman who is expected to handle all her responsibilities alone and not speak about it, wouldn’t they feel frustrated and traumatized by their own build-up feelings? After a point, this ‘silence’ can have a significant impact on their work, social life and personal relationships and can lead to depression.

Close to 300 million people suffer from depression worldwide. A whopping 80% of people suffering from depression do not speak up and seek medical help because of social stigma attached to it. Aren’t these figures shocking to you? Should we really wait & watch to add more numbers to the statistics and still consider depression as taboo? Can’t we just talk about it and express our pain to our dear ones in a hope that they’ll understand and help us without being judgmental?

So, what can you do to reduce the stigma around depression? Here are 5 simple ways to help end the stigma that keeps too many who struggle with depression from seeking the help they need:

• Educate yourself. Stigma has been around for a long time, and knowing the facts and myths about depression can be a great way to help end the stigma. Read about facts and myths, and become a stigma buster.
• Break the silence. Talk openly about depression. If you or someone in your family had depression, tell your story to others. Stories of people who have experienced depression and who are doing well can really challenge stereotypes. Most people with depression can and do recover, just by talking about it.
• Be compassionate. Small acts of kindness speak volumes. Whether it be a smile, being a good listener or an invitation for coffee and a chat, these simple acts of kindness can help open up the conversation and let someone know you are there for them. Expressions like “You’ll get over it” and “Just relax” can minimize how a person is feeling.
• Choose your words carefully. The words you use can make all the difference. Words can help, but they can also hurt. What would you choose? Calling a person ‘psycho’ and ‘crazy’ or asking someone ‘I’ve noticed you’ve seemed down lately. Is everything OK? How can I help?’
• Understand that depression is a medical disorder: Like any other illness, if depression is considered as a medical illness and not taboo, it will become easier for depressed patients to cope with it and seek medical help.

All of us have heard celebrities like Deepika Padukone and Karan Johar talk about depression. They have battled the fight and won over it. They have taken support of their families, educated themselves, and taken medical treatment for depression. Now, let’s each do our part to make sure that it happens with all the individuals suffering from depression – they do not suffer in silence and seek treatment for depression on time.