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Breaking the stigma: #LetsTalk about depression, says WHO
People who are depressed often—but not always—withdraw and isolate themselves from the rest of the world. Sucked into a dark void, they suffer even more when judged by other people.
Most of the time, they’re misunderstood. They’re just acting up, other people conclude. Families and friends often don’t know how to deal with depression, and think that ignoring it will make the “sad feelings” go away.
But it never does—not without understanding that just like any other disease, depression needs to be treated.
“Globally, there are 300 million people living with depression. That’s one in 20 people,” said Dr. Gundo Weiler, World Health Organization Representative to the Philippines at a forum earlier this month.
“It’s like any other medical illness. In fact, we have found certain brain chemicals which are involved in depression. And having said that, treatment is readily available,” said psychiatrist Dr. Edgardo Tolentino at the event.
“Let’s bring to everyone’s consciousness that depression is not a weakness of character, but a treatable medical condition,” he added.
"How can I help?"
During the talk, Tolentino said that the way people deal with a depressed loved one can matter.
“We say ‘Kaya mo yan!’ [But] some patients feel that’s a very cruel thing to say. ‘Hindi nga eh, I can’t even get out of bed!’ Instead, ask them, ‘How do you feel? How can I help?’”
Tolentino emphasized the importance of providing a safe, supportive and accepting family environment for people with depression.
“Avoid making judgmental comments. If you need to express dissatisfaction, do it in a loving way. The tone of voice is very important,” he said.
However, Tolentino also stressed the importance of taking care of yourself, particularly if you are the primary caregiver, and not to be too hard on yourself.
Speaking with GMA News Online, Weiler emphasized that mental health issues such as depression are not the fault of the one who’s sick, nor the family’s. Depression can affect anyone, from any part of society, rich or poor, at any stage in life.
According to Weiler, there are people who are prone to depression—and events happen in their lives that can trigger it.
With actress Antoinette Taus, it happened when she lost her mom to cancer.
Sign of strength
Taus started her career in showbiz when she was only 11. After appearing on various television shows and movies here, she moved to L.A. in 2001 to pursue the American dream. But in 2004, her mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Within eight months, she passed away. That’s when Taus felt her life was sinking.
"I wasn’t used to not being able to do anything about things. To not be in control of my life. So I drowned myself in denial. I did not want to show weakness. I wasn’t used to being broken," Taus told an audience of mental health advocates, psychiatrists and people who are undergoing depression at the forum.
She was depressed for three years and tried to conceal her sadness by partying and pretending her life was fine. When she moved back to the Philippines, Taus finally started getting better with the support of her family.
Taus said that her depression led her to a different direction in life: humanitarian work. Taus formed CORA (Communities Organized for Resource Allocation) Cares, named after her mother.
She added that dealing with depression shows not weakness but strength.
“It takes courage to battle [it],” she said.
Social media use
Taus also urged other people battling depression to "surround yourself with good people, get into the arts, and exercise" and to cut down on the use of social media.
“A lot of depression these days root from social media. People having a bad day, but they post the most beautiful things,” she said.
Weiler agrees. “Today, in the age of social media, we seem to be connected because we’re always on the phone and we’re always chatting. But we really need to ask ourselves what are the real connections that we have. These social media are sometimes deceptive,” he said.
“If we just count our number of friends, and number of likes, sometimes it’s better to have one real or two real friends with whom we have face-to-face conversations.”
Being on social media can also pressure a person to prove that their life is great and picture-perfect. However, Weiler said, “It’s okay to not be okay, and to feel that life isn’t perfect.”
Depression and young people
According to WHO, the suicide rate has increased the last two years among young people aged 24 and below in the Philippines.
Youth for Mental Health Coalition, a group formed by youth advocate RJ Naguit last October, is pushing for mental health education and its integration into the secondary school curriculum and awareness campaigns.
Naguit said that since forming the coalition, he has found that a lot of people his age are afraid to speak about depression.
“Hindi nila alam kung sinong lalapitan,” he said.
Now that the WHO and the Department of Health are implementing communication campaigns and projects relating to mental health, Naguit is optimistic more young people will come forward and start approaching depression the right way.
“We have to normalize mental health,” he said. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of.” — BM, GMA News
