It is Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 6-12)

It’s not easy to be vulnerable and tell someone how you are feeling when you are depressed; however, being open about your feelings may give you some relief! Talking to a trusted friend or family member about your depression can be the first step toward getting the help you need. You may just say something like “I’m not feeling like myself lately” or “I think that something is wrong, and I’m worried about being depressed” or Even though I may seem fine on the outside I feel [fill in the blank!] on the inside.”

It is not a weakness to be depressed, it is an illness. Many people are taught that it is weak to feel “down,” that you should “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” or “fake it till you make it.” So for these reasons, many people find it difficult to talk about this topic. Reaching out to someone close to you can often times get a positive and supportive response. If you need additional support, then it might be time to reach out to a mental health professional, your doctor or clergy person.

You can talk to an EAP counselor here at our Ackerman offices or in your zip code area. To get started, please call 800-678-6265 and speak with an intake counselor about your needs. It takes strength and courage to reach out, but it’s worth it!

To learn more about depression, go to NAMI.org.