Compassionate Love: Displaying compassion for those who struggle with mental illness    (c)2014 Nancy Virden

Do you know what you can say that will make people leave you alone?

“I need help with a move.” 

In 1987, my husband and I moved twice. People helped us pack and load the truck.  At our destination,  other people we were meeting for the first time willingly unloaded the truck. This was great! Kindness was appreciated as there was no way the two of us could have done it alone.

Four months later, we moved a mile away. Unfortunately, not every landlord is a peach, and so another truck was loaded and unloaded by many of the same people who helped the first time. Enthusiasm among them was low, and carelessness with our things increased.

There is something else one can say that will make people squirm; that is, “I’m depressed.”

In our society depression is a misunderstood issue because we use the word so flippantly. “Ah, the movie I want is out of stock. How depressing!”

“I was depressed once for a couple of days. Felt like I didn’t want to get out of bed.”

And on it goes. A woman said to me once, “I was depressed. I mean majorly depressed. I mean I was in the hospital.” I know why she felt she had to give more explanation; she was protecting herself from yet another dismissal.

Major Depression can lead to suicide. That is why Major Depression is considered potentially fatal. 

This week is National Suicide Prevention Week. Did you know that? Now is an appropriate time to learn about Depression. Then next time someone says, “I feel depressed,” you will not have to run away.

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