By LaKisha Watson, MS, LCDCI, Manager of AllOne Therapy
October is National Depression Education and Awareness Month, and while depression is one of the most common mental health conditions, it is also one of the most misunderstood.
Depression doesn’t always look like sadness.
Sometimes it looks like withdrawal, numbness, irritability, or exhaustion.
Sometimes it looks like smiling through pain, canceling plans, or feeling disconnected, even when surrounded by people.
This month is about bringing that quiet into the light. It’s about educating ourselves, our communities, and even the healthcare system about what depression really looks and feels like and how we can respond with empathy rather than judgment.
Depression Can Happen to Anyone
Depression does not discriminate. It can affect people of all ages, backgrounds, faiths, and genders. You can live with depression while being successful, while parenting, while going to school, while showing up for others. You can be surrounded by love and still feel empty. And that doesn’t make you ungrateful, it makes you human.
Education Breaks Stigma
Understanding the symptoms of depression is a key part of prevention and healing. Some signs might include:
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Changes in appetite or sleep
- Feeling worthless, hopeless, or stuck
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
If you see these signs in yourself or someone you care about, don’t ignore them. Depression is real, and so is recovery.
Therapy can be a safe place to explore what you’re feeling, what you’ve been through, and what might help you begin to feel like yourself again or discover who you’re becoming on the other side of the struggle.
At AllOne Therapy, we’re here to support you through the valleys and the victories. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, unsure of what you’re feeling, or simply ready to be heard, our team offers compassionate care at your pace.
To get started, we invite you to explore our services or book a session.