Let’s talk about Mental Health.
I’m not an expert on depression. I just want to express through writing this burden that’s been bugging me for a few months now. What I have come to realize is that…
THIS IS REAL.
At first, I thought this was just an imagination created by people. I was wrong. I’m sorry. But through time, I have come to realize depression has become a reality.
You may say that it has been sensationalized, and while you may be partly true, you can’t deny the fact that it’s there. You may also want to be technical with the meaning of depression as a medical condition, but I won’t go there. I’m talking about depression in its general sense.
People are dying, figuratively and literally.
I was searching for answers to where it might come from, but I stumbled upon something that plays a huge role: SCREENS.
We are living in the age of digital information and I’m not saying that this is the only problem because there are other factors and my point is not to throw away our smartphones to the toilet and flush them away. I am just saying that there is a problem with screens.
Screens overpromise and underdeliver.
Posts on social media can entertain, inspire, and inform us, but one thing they all have in common is INSTANT SATISFACTION.
We take pleasure in looking at hilarious memes, funny videos, and perfectly captured poses on Instagram. It releases stress.
But what happens if one day nothing in the newsfeed is funny? What if no one posts something clever, cute or exciting?
We keep scrolling.
Even if there is, sometimes we get tired with it that it’s not enjoyable anymore.
We turn off the screen.
Then what happens? We feel hollow.
What about those who have no one to talk to? They are left with themselves trying to search for happiness. Or laughter. New stories. So, if nothing comes, what’s next?
Emptiness.
Some, especially men, will try pornography. Instant pleasure. Dopamine. At a great cost of objectifying women for satiating lustful desires.
Screens are trying to substitute real relationships with instant ones.
Days come when nothing excites you anymore.
What ensues? Emptiness.
Some will try flirting online, Tinder, chatrooms, or even webcam sex, trying to get a shortcut from engaging in romantic relationships, which in reality costs a lot of risks, effort and courage.
This instant pleasure is problematic. It can leave someone empty if there’s nothing more novel or exciting anymore.
Aside from instant gratification, screens also put unreachable expectations.
We have this unreasonable expectation to please people who will never be pleased. Because if there is one thing people will never lack, it is their say or comment on everything.
What’s the consequence if we don’t meet these imaginary expectations? Frustration.
What if someone doesn’t have anyone to talk to, to assure that person his/her value, that he/she is beautiful or worth it?
Like how Ladybird asked her mom, “What if this is the best version?”
Some people have no one to talk to during these times so they search for assurance in the wrong places, which will leave them empty.
Frustrated.
Depressed.
There are a lot of factors why people enter into depression but screens play a huge role in it.
Instant pleasures and unreasonable expectations are lethal.
BUT THERE IS HOPE.
If you know someone going through this, DO NOT EVER SAY it’s “kaartehan” or “gawa-gawa” because it’s not. It’s real. Even if you say that it’s somehow imaginary, it doesn’t change the fact that the person is sad.
NBA superstars DeMar Derozan or Kevin Love opened up about depression. Their first and main hesitation about opening up is the criticism of being labeled as “soft.” People do not want to open up because people are judgmental.
Now who in the world dictated the rule that you have to look and be strong every single time? It’s an erroneous social construct.
It’s okay to be weak at times, to be vulnerable.
To recognize it is a kind of strength, of courage, and humility.
If you are around these people, please be sensitive but more importantly, more involved. Or just be there. If you can, try your best to get your friend to talk about it. Do not force but do not give up. Fight for your friend.
Let us not sensationalize but let us not be insensitive. Strike a balance in between.
If you are the one going through depression, please, talk to someone who cares. Do not be afraid to open up to your family or your friends. No one and nothing is hopeless.
Now I don’t know if you believe in God or not, but the wonders of the universe have no other logical explanation other than it being created by Someone who is infinitely powerful.
There is a God.
He created you.
The one and same God who put the galaxies into place created you, put you into existence.
It may sound cliché but He loves you. He even came down as a human and gave His life for you.
I’m not being insensitive, but really, that’s all you need to know. God loves you. And you can talk to Him.
It’s heart-crushing to hear that there were four students who committed suicide around where I live. How tragic of a story it is that there are around 17-year olds who actually thought that life is not worth living anymore.
This is real.
And you are not the friend of someone for no reason.
Let him/her know that life, despite all its ugliness, is still worth living.
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