Picture a glass. Looking at it, you can see that it can only hold so much before spilling over. As humans we are no different. The more that goes, the more the glass gets filled. What goes in has to be dealt with, or else things become unmanageable. There is nothing worse than feeling that you have lost control of your life. You become detached from life. You spend time alone. You don't participate in life as you once did, you feel as if no one can understand how you feel. It's a gradual slide down, but not noticeable until you've reached the bottom of the slope. You can't be cured, but you can be helped, you can learn to cope with your depression.
I know someone, some of you know him too. He has worked a high-stress job for many years. He has coped with several serious family matters for many years. His glass overflowed, and he slid. So very fortunately for him, people around him saw it. He was nudged, very gently, into seeking help. So gently, In fact, that he still believes it was his idea. Once the floodgates opened, it was hard to stop. Years of "I'm OK, you're OK, we're all OK" broke loose. The good, the bad and the ugly came out. It was a relief to him to finally let it go, to break down. In the tears that came, a weight was lifted, our friend was re-born. He relapsed a little after a high-profile event a year or so ago, but with the help of many, including one who tries to act like a cranky, grouchy, old man. You know him, too. Even with the help of many, it took several months, but our friend bounced back.
If only all cases could conclude like our friend's. So many times a victim can only see one way out of their depression. We have many euphemism's for it. We call it a permanent solution to a temporary problem, a selfish way out, a cowardly act. It's none of the above. To a victim, it's the only way out. It's the only way to end their suffering, and to free their loved ones. It has a name, Suicide. The more that we discuss depression and suicide, and treat them as the diseases they are, the better off we all will be. Depression can't be stopped, it can be treated. Suicide can be stopped, by treating depression.
It will pass, suck it up, get over it, aren't very good responses to someone who is dealing with difficult times in their lives. Offering support, offering to talk with them and let them vent are good responses. The signs are right in front of us, we have to recognize those signs. We have to look out for our loved ones, and we have to look out for ourselves. We are all in this together, so let's stick together.