Depression Awareness Month
Why hello there.
Today is the beginning of October and for those who are aware of “awareness” months, we all tend to think of breast cancer during this month. There are tons and tons of companies who support breast cancer awareness every October, and that’s great because breast cancer is a horrible disease that hopefully they will one day find a cure for. But there is another very important cause this month that not very many companies seem to take notice of.
October is also depression awareness month. This subject obviously hits close to home for me this year since I have been experiencing it first-hand. No matter the cause of a depression, it’s a horrible thing to go through. I have found that talking about it with both people I know and virtual strangers (lots of you guys!) really helps, and makes me feel less alone. When you experience depression for the first time, you start to feel like you are losing your mind. You aren’t familiar with the feelings and how it can really impact every single small thing you do every day. But by talking about it with other people who have experienced it, it feels so much more manageable and understandable.
Those suffering from it or who have people close to them who are need to understand it. They need to know it’s not just being sad about something or feeling blue one day. You cannot just smile and get on with things easily. It’s crushing and debilitating. It’s physical. But it’s also something you can do something about. It doesn’t have to rule your life. By talking about it openly I hope to take away some of that stigma. Depression is an illness just like psoriasis or diabetes. Those who are suffering from a physical illness would go to a doctor to seek help. Those suffering from depression need to also seek help before it becomes too much to bear. There are so many different things you can do to treat it, but recognizing it and talking about it is the first step.
For more information about depression, check out the National Institute of Mental Health.
There is an official color for this month also and it happens to be one of my favorite nail polish shades: green!
-Kelly
How appropriate! I have green nails and pink toes and I didn’t even do that on purpose!
was just gonna say, pink and green go great together! so not only is it to promote awareness of BOTH, its also very fashionable
I don’t think I knew it was depression awareness month, so thanks for highlighting it. I truly hope that one day soon mental health conditions will not have a stigma attached to them and that people will get the help that they need. My father suffered from schizophrenia and would go through debilitating bouts of depression as well. Sadly, there were not effective treatments until he was much older.
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Thanks so much for highlighting this issue. Mental illness often goes undiagnosed and a stigma still surrounds it,and of course there’s the fact that fewer doctors choose the psychiatric field because there’s a lower reimbursement rate from insurance companies. Glad to know the color is green, makes a nice change from pink everything!
I know I’ve said this before, but I think it’s just really great that you’re so open about your struggles. You are helping others by doing so
Also, holy awesome greenness!
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Didnt know it was the dep awereness month good to know. I know how it feels
Thanks for this post, Kelly. I’ve been thinking about talking about it on my blog, too, but there is a stigma attached and it can be hard (sometimes scary) to be open about it… I’m glad you made this post. Hopefully I will have the confidence to share some thoughts eventually, too.
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Thank you for not only bringing awareness to depression but also for sharing some of your experience as well!
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Ironically I learned about Depression Awareness month through reading nail polish blogs! I saw a post on the Polished Pefectionist and then Scrangie. While I’m not really against Breast Cancer Awareness month, I do wish that depression would get a bit more attention than it does. It’s something that has affected me personally, and my mother and sister both have had ongoing battles with depression. I also had an uncle that committed suicide. Depression robs you of your time, and your best years – I wonder what my life would be like, what I could have accomplished by now, if I didn’t suffer from depression. :’(
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WOW! You own a lot of green polishes!!!
I love green too!
I will do a depression awareness post this month with a green polish in order to raise the awareness for depression!
I’ve had it too so I know exactly how it feels…
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Wow, I had no idea there was a depression awareness month. As someone who has suffered from it for several years it’s nice to see that it gets acknowledged. I also suffer from anxiety which usually but not always goes hand in hand with depression. I can totally understand when you say it’s debilitating. Everyone just thinks I’m lazy and whatnot and it really sucks plus when you go through a bout of it everyone treats you badly because of your mood unlike a standard illness where you get more sympathy. It just sucks all around. I hope you are able to find a treatment plan that works for you. Don’t be afraid of medication if you need it as it does help some.
Thank you SO much for posting about this, Kelly. Perhaps by people like you making their struggles public we can begin to break down the stigma that surrounds depression. I once had a college English teacher, on the first day of class, actually say “Depressed people are only depressed because they WANT to be sad.” I dropped her class immediately. I’ve battled depression as well – many times in my life. It’s always a relief to find out you’re not alone.
Are there any organizations that support the cure for depression? Other than Anheuser Busch?
Depression effects almost everyone. Which is terrible. It’s not just a mood. I can be a chemical imbalance in the brain. It’s not something one can ‘just get over it’. I ended a very serious relationship because that was the attitude of my boyfriend. For many, there is no cure; only living with it.
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After I struggled with my anxiety disorder, I got hit by a depression. Luckily, I already had contact with a psychologist who got me through it. With a little help of medication. I’m not afraid to take hormomes. My body doesn’t make enough of those, so I just take some extra. It’s just a malfunction of my body and I should not be ashamed of it. But it’s hard. I keep explaining stuff to my friends and new friends and strangers. Awareness is very important to me because most people know so little about it. For me it doesn’t matter which month it is. But I’ll wear green nailpolish this October!
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I LOVE this! Green spam galore! All of these are beautiful. Thank you for being so open about your struggles and raising awareness on an issue some may be shy to talk about.
I know I’ve said this, but it’s truly wonderful of you to share your own experience. It takes lots of strength!
It’s cool to read this. I interned at a major mental health organization and we always focused on May, since it’s mental health awareness month. I think it’s great that depression is being acknowledged with its own awareness month as well. One of the projects I worked on while at this organization was planning for a lime green ribbon campaign to raise awareness for mental health and anti-stigma. It’s a fitting color for this month, too.
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Mega green post! So proud that you’re addressing the topic and really showcased it well.
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Great post, Kelly- thank you! And wowza, that’s A LOT of green polish!
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First of all, I want to give you a hug, Kelly! *HUG* Thank for being an awesome beauty blogger and person all around.
And wowwwww, seeing all those green polishes on your nails in a single post is like heaven to me. My favourite colour!
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Kelly,
All I can really say is G-d bless you. I totally ‘get’ everything you said and feel like I am doomed to a lifetime of wanting to lie on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, surrounded by my cats and a cup of coffee.
You are definitely not alone.
Hugs xoxo
Kelly,
I think it is awesome that you are bringing the topic of depression out into the open like this. I suffer from Bipolar Level 2 disorder and so much of it is still so misunderstood yet. There are so many people, who suffere from depression, who also feel ashamed of it, so they don’t talk about it and that can make it even worse because they try so hard to hide it. I agree with you, that talking to others is a very important part of the treatment for depression.
Thank you for calling attention to the fact that October is Depression Awarenss Month and that the ribbon color is green. I will definitely have to do something with the color this month. :0)
Take care and keep putting one front in front of the other and one breath at a time. It will get better!
Ang
Love that you are increasing awareness on an important subject that usually gets brushed under the rug. Hope you are continuing to do well and LOVE all the green!!
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Kelly-
) face to a mental health problem that is often stigmatized and misunderstood. Stay strong and be proud of all the good you are doing by speaking out.
Good for you for speaking out about this important issue. I have suffered from depression as well, and it is extremely difficult. I am now in my last year of grad school and I’m studying professional counseling so that I can help others who are struggling with depression. You are awesome, and I admire you for giving a voice and a (pretty
I really wanted to thank you for making this post and linking all your wonderful polish reviews; I lurk this fantastic blog so hardcore but am usually too shy to comment; but as someone who’s suffered from depression for twelve years and is only now getting up her courage to try to get medical help for it, I feel for you and really appreciate your signal boosting of such an important message.
Sending you as many hugs as you would like, and just wanted to say I’m wishing you the best, every day. <3
Wow. look at all the green nails!!! I love love love green and thought I had a lot of colors, but I have probably half or less of what you just showed. And I thought I had to wait until St Patty’s Day, now I can rock my green nails all month long! With pink ribbons on them of course.
Depression is terrible, horrible, awful, and a no good very bad thing. I only had it once, but yeah it is debilitating. I didn’t even want to get out of bed, get dressed, eat, nothing. I would have been content to curl up in a ball and be left alone in my misery, but thank goodness it lifted over time and life went on. At least you are still trying to get past it and still blogging and trying to fight it. Prayers and big HUGS for you my friend. I didn’t even know there was a month for depression awareness. Thanks for making me aware. I hope you can find peace and comfort and happiness inside again soon. I love your nail blogs and am a new subbie, so I have lots of archives to catch up on and see what I have missed. I really enjoy what you do here and Thanks! (((HUGS)))
Hi Kelly, I love that you are highlighting Depression Awareness. I am thinking of doing this too on my blog.
You are awesome for talking about your experiences, it helps us know we are not alone. I think you are helping a lot of people.
: )
lovenailpolish
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I actually didn’t even know this is national depression month but it is definitely good to know. I’ve suffered from it for years and know how debilitating it can be. It’s great that it is becoming so much easier to talk about these days instead of being hidden the way it used to be. I’ve been thinking about you and hope you are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. <3
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Oh, and the green polishes are amazing!!
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I wasn’t aware that October is Depression Awareness Month…although it seems fitting, as I suffer from depression and was born in October!
I agree that the stigma really keeps those suffering from depression (whether or not they know it themselves) from talking about it and seeking help, or having it offered. Imagine hiding a broken leg–or not knowing you had one!–and the consequences it could have. This of course leads into the topic of medical and non-medical intervention (psychiatry, medication, therapy, meditation, etc.) for mental illness stigma.
Type 1 diabetics take insulin, people with heart conditions have an array of medication to help them, and no one looks down on people suffering from these conditions for taking their meds, yet the conversation becomes instantly uncomfortable at the mention of a mental health disorder, especially if medication is also brought up. I don’t know if it’s because people think the person might go postal at any moment or what, but it needs to be addressed and clarified.
I didn’t know October is depression awareness month but it makes sense. It is getting so dark. Maybe light therapy would work for a lot of people.
Hey sweety!
I’m a very quite reader of your blog and my english isn’t so good by writing. But i want to say that this is a great post.
I have problems with panic attacks for years and talking about it really helps a lot.
So i hope you are fine and stay healthy.
Bye and good night from hamburg
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Great post! And great swatches, green is my favorite color!!!
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