Almost everyone is going through one thing or another, and these have taken a toll on some people's mental health to the point where they're literally dejected and in a state of depression. Often we see people that are well dressed in public with a wide smile on their faces, unknown to us that behind those smiles is a clouded mind that's plagued by depression that has been inflicted on them due to one life disappointment or another. People often advise those plagued with depression to speak up, and I must say that it's true they need to speak up, but being an individual who has been in that state, I understand why some tend to harbor their issues to themselves rather than share with others.
We are of the opinion that the society should talk more about depression to warn people about the danger it can pose to its victim, and I totally agree with that. But then when it comes to inquiring about why most depressed people find it difficult to share their challenges with others, I believe many of us know why, and that's because sharing your challenges with the wrong person might cause more harm and lead one to a deeper state of depression. If shared with the wrong person. I can say this for a fact because I've been there before. It's then you'll find out that the saying that a problem shared is a problem half solved is not entirely true, because a problem shared with the wrong person can become the talk of the town.
Don't even say it's because we didn't watch who we shared it with; the truth is that I once shared what has been weighing me down with a trusted friend, only for me to hear it from someone else. This has made me shut my heart out and hold my problems to myself. But then I believe peradventure we here in Nigeria had a good health system where counselors and therapists were a valid profession, then maybe more people would have visited one, knowing they would most certainly get the right advice and guidance to overcome that phase and could be well behaved, certain that such a professional won't share their issues with someone else, because it's a client-attorney kind of secret.
Open conversation can greatly help relieve depressed individuals because when they share their challenges with a loved one or a professional, the weight of such problems becomes lighter, making such a person a little bit relieved. But talking about overcoming stigma that can follow sharing one's problem with others can only be attained when shared with trusted loved ones or professionals who value the relationship you shared about the problems you've carried.
All photos are mine.