Depression, also called “clinical depression,” is getting lots of coverage in the news lately. Thanks to mental health advocates like Senator Risa Hontiveros and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, awareness about it has been boosted.
Sen. Hontiveros for her part authored the Mental Health bill in the Senate, which seeks to establish proper medical services for mental illnesses. More importantly, the bill proposes the specific rights of persons with mental health needs. Miss International
Kylie Verzosa more recently admitted to having depression herself. In an earlier Pilipinas Popcorn article, she also said that because of this, she wants to advocate for mental health during her stint as Miss International.
Four Things To Know About Depression
Although there are other mental illnesses, depression has always been the most commonly cited one. In the most recent news about teen suicides, the victims have been tagged as having been “depressed.”
What exactly is depression? According to the US National Institute of Mental Health booklet on Depression, people need to know four things about it.
“Depression is a real illness.”
In the Philippines, mental illnesses carry with it a stigma. This makes people who suffer from it hide away what they are experiencing. This also means people will not get the treatment they need.
Among these illnesses, depression is more commonly known by the public. In recent news about victims of teen suicides, the victims were said to have been “depressed” before it happened.
With more people coming out with their stories about battling depression, mental health issues are no longer non-existent but are very real. Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa recently admitted having suffered from depression even before she became a model and a beauty queen.
“Depression affects people in different ways.”
People like Alya Honasan put a real face to the disease. In her 2014 article in the Inquirer, she described how it affected her: “I ballooned to 210 lbs and would sleep at 4 every morning, only to get up a few hours later to go to work. I was tired, unmotivated and crying incessantly, but I sought solace in my work. I had given my depression an image, “the hollow block,” because that’s what it felt like, sitting on my chest every morning. Can you imagine how hard it is to feel like crying as soon as you open your eyes?”
She also cited how people deal differently with depression. Referring to the recent suicide of Robin Williams, she said that anyone who suffers from it has thought of taking one’s life at certain points in time. Again, some people choose to struggle on while others choose to “cross the line.”
“Depression is treatable.”
In the case of Kylie Verzosa, she dealt with her depression the “natural way” although she admitted being taken to a psychiatrist also. For Alya Honasan, medical treatment helped her through her struggle.
According to the NIMH, earlier diagnosis followed by earlier treatment improves the chances of effective treatment. It recommends a combination of psychotherapy and medical treatment.
In the Philippines, access to services and facilities for treatment of depression and other diseases will be made available to those who need it if the Mental Health act pushes through.
“You are not alone.”
This is a reminder that not too many Filipinos suffering from depression hear. With the stigma associated with it, who would want to admit having a mental illness?
According to the booklet, the best way for a depressive to start dealing with it is by building a support system around oneself. Friends and family will be one’s first line of support.
With more people coming out to share their experiences, this may mean opening up the discussion about mental health. More importantly, it may also mean helping more people face it and eventually deal with it.
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