Depression is different for everyone. The seriousness, longevity and treatment varies by the individual, and the willingness to speak up or speak out about depression is unique to nearly everyone with the condition.
For Facing Depression, courageous members of the Muncie community have chosen to tell their stories. Each experience paints a different picture for depression, and all of these voluntary accounts are crucial for highlighting a sometimes forgotten element that accompanies mental conditions; speaking out can be hard.
In a recent news article through NPR, different interviews were conducted with individuals who suffer from depression or have different viewpoints on the topic. Questions arose about the Germanwings pilot and how vocal certain people may or may not be about depression.
It’s important to remember that not everyone will be vocal about depressive symptoms they may be coping with, especially when these feelings first begin to arise. However, Susan Goldberg, an assistant professor at Duquesne University, stresses the importance of people being cautious with how and to whom they share their struggles. Although it is unhealthy and unsafe to keep depression hidden, Goldberg claims that choosing when and with whom sharing any personal information with should be decided independently.
It’s amazing to see so many brave and humbled individuals tell their stories through The Facing Project. These members of the community have found the right time and stage to let their stories be heard. Although storytellers for this project have chosen to bring their experiences to the spotlight, it’s also important to remember that not everyone with depression is ready to be so open about the condition, and they may never be fully prepared to project their depression in this way. That’s always okay, and we should be grateful and supporting for those who want to encourage others with their stories, and continue to help those who are still learning how to cope with depression in their lives.
Written by: Casey Smith
This story originally appeared in Facing Depression in Muncie, a publication of The Facing Project that was organized by the Ingelhart Scholars at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.