According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are more than 300 million people of all ages who suffer due to depression globally. Moreover, it is also stated that depression has caused almost 800 million people in the world to die of suicide every year. The contributing factors can vary from genetics, environmental factors, unhealthy lifestyle habits and so forth.
Based on my recent observation, it seems that many people have belittled the severity that depression has. In Indonesia itself, depression is regarded by most people as a solely “emotional phase” of growing up, or a temporary psychological condition that the sufferers can get rid of easily as time goes by. People who have told to their significant others that they have depression are often neglected, that this very disorder has been considered as common for everyone to experience. Nevertheless, I need to remind you that depression is not merely a “psychological phase” that everyone will pass through. It is a mental disorder, just like other serious mental ilnesses whose patients need to obtain a proper treatment and be taken care of seriously. Otherwise, they may get more and more severe.
Why do most people who have depression or other serious mental illnesses do not dare to speak up regarding their conditions? One of the major causes is the social stigma put towards them. According to a report that was published in Psychological Science in the Public Interest, stigma towards individuals with mental disorder is a significant barrier that eventually hinder people to care for them. It is one of the major factors that may dissuade them from seeking for effective medical assistance or telling their significant others regarding their problems.
In Indonesia, the most common negative stereotyping towards the depressed among my circles is that when someone tells their peers that he or she wants to end his/her life due to depression, he or she might be regarded as an “attention-seeker”, especially an idol who everyone thought that he/she has gotten everything, that he/she should not have been worried or thought about anything else. It is a common misconception and negative stereotyping that should be eradicated. We should ensure that those vulnerable individuals would be willing to speak up of their concerns without being negatively stigmatized by the public at the end of the day. The common “get-over” attitude of towards the depressed people should also be combatted.
Depression can occur in everyone, regardless of one’s wealth, popularity, physical appearance, personality and so forth. It is a mental illness. It resembles other serious mental disorders. Do not ever underestimate this. One assistance from you can save one’s life.
For those who are currently feeling depressed: talk to your close friends or your family regarding your problems. If necessary, go seek help to professionals. Remember, every person’s life is worthy. You are worthy. Don’t ever think that you are worthless and nobody would listen to you. There would surely be someone that would support you, no matter what.
For those who feel that there is someone close to you who feels depressed: Support them. Embrace them. Listen to their problems. Tell them that they are worthy human-beings. Encourage them to seek professional help if necessary. Don’t stigmatize them with negative stereotypes. Don’t regard them as “attention-seekers,” but regard them as those who really need someone to lean on.
