Mood:  cheeky
One in every ten people will experience a major clinical depression at some point in their lives, but depression and other mental illnesses effect more then just the individual who has to suffer through it. It effects their friends, family, coworkers and supervisors as well. Something as common as a depression for example, can tear a family to shreds, totally dissolve friendships and even lead to inefficiency at work. This costs the economy millions of dollars a year in hospital and health care bills, missed days of work and death benefits. These people cannot just get over it without the proper assistance. They most often need therapy and/or medication to even begin to recover and even still, recovery can take years depending on severity. You, however, can get over it. You are the ones who can make a difference and help to lift some of the stigma associated with depression. Ignorance on the topic can only lead to poor management, and in severe cases, suicide or even psychosis. I sincerely hope that people start to take this seriously and stop placing judgements on these people. After all, statistics prove that one day, it could be you.

Melony Malo
(A depression survivor)