After hearing the news of Chester Bennington's recent suicide, people within the mental health community are triggered and again reminded of how deadly mental illness can be.
What is depression?
Depression is scientifically known as a mental imbalance in the brain. The most common symptoms of depression include hopelessness, insomnia, disinterest in enjoyable activities or interests, excessive crying, low self-esteem, fatigue, and even suicidal thoughts.
Depression is not only a mental state of sadness. Physical symptoms can include extreme exhaustion, panic attacks, weakness, and weight loss or weight gain.
Even while the depression is being treated, the antidepressants can sometimes become unresponsive or ineffective. Depression, therefore, becomes a desperation, almost a feeling that the clock is running out, and the sufferer feels like there is no break away from their depressive mood.
In reality, millions of people suffer from depression worldwide -- with nearly 50% unable to find relief even with treatment. There is no cure for depression yet, and with the many negative stereotypes surrounding it, those with the illnesses feel isolated and alone. Truthfully, Mental Disorders like depression can happen to anyone.
The disorders hardly go away, and people who suffer learn to manage them the best they can.
And there is nothing weak about that. Many who have depression feel lost, and they really do want to get better and lead happier lives. Depression is not a mental state of mind where if only that person thought happier thoughts, their condition would simply evaporate. Like cancer, depression is a physical illness, and it affects lives because of the high risks of suicides.
For those with depression, thoughts of suicide can be daily, or simply part of the depression they've learned to live with and ignore.
Mental health stigmas
To most in American culture, depression is still seen as a sign of weakness, although that is a misconception. It takes great strength for someone with depression to get out of bed or feed themselves.
The stigmas surrounding mental health are more unnecessary than ever, especially since yet another talented celebrity has taken his own life. It is important that we all Raise Awareness so we stop losing some of the most influential people in the world. Sadly, it has taken numerous suicides for mental illness to become a topic of concern and conversation.
Bennington had a history of abuse, trauma, anxiety, and depression, and even while he was a big advocate for mental health awareness, the disorder still, unfortunately, left him drained. The fact is, anyone can suffer from a mental illness. Depression is an uncontrollable illness, and it is one that no one wants to have. One of the major reasons why these disorders take the lives of so many is that those with the illnesses feel hopeless.
It really is an illness of the mind where, inside, there is nothing to hold onto.
The effect of Bennington’s suicide
Suicide hotlines are prepared for lots of calls over the next few weeks and months. A surge of suicide attempts skyrocket when something like a major celebrity taking his or her life comes up in the media. It’s important that the reporting surrounding this event is handled with caution and sensitivity.
Mental disorders like depression are not simple. They never fully go away. Those who have the disorder realize their illness is something they have to manage. Hearing about another person taken from the disease by suicide shakes everyone who has the same illness to the core. They know the difficulties, and the struggles it takes to keep going.
Unfortunately, suicide is one of the leading causes of death. With more knowledge about what depression is, how it can be treated, and how we all can support and raise awareness, those with mental health disorders might feel more assured they are taken care of and appreciated.
If you or anyone you know is suicidal please call the National Suicide Hotline which is 1-800-273-8255.
