A Hidden Menace by Lauryn

A Hidden Menace by Lauryn - July 2017 Scholarship Essay

The school bell chimed three times, signaling the initiation of class. My friend sat down in her assigned seat across from me, but I could tell something wasn’t quite right. Someone who was normally the chattiest girl in our friend circle didn’t even say hello to anyone. She had missed a week of school without saying a word to anyone, finally comes to school, but is completely silent. I couldn’t take the silence anymore; I moved to an empty seat next my friend and proceeded to start a conversation. We were having a regular conversation about the drama she missed that week, when my friend suddenly started crying. It turns out, she was in the hospital during the week of school she missed. My friend tried to commit suicide, but thankfully she was found and the medical staff saved her life. The doctors later diagnosed my friend with depression.

I was deeply touched that my friend chose to share her incredible story with me although, I couldn’t help but worry. What if she had succeeded in her suicide attempt? How could I not see that she was suicidal? Why didn’t she tell someone that she was feeling depressed? A part of me already knew the answer to a couple of these questions. There is a huge stigma surrounding mental illness, especially depression. This is detrimental for our society because it leads to dozens of children, teens, and adults ending their life prematurely. People with mental illness don’t educate themselves about their condition and many don’t feel comfortable talking to others about issues they’re having. If I had the opportunity to give an educational TED Talk, I would like to educate people about depression.

Depression affects more people than we think. Over the course of my life I have had several friends and family members who have confided in me about their battle with depression. The first topic I would touch on in my TED Talk would be speaking up. Many people are afraid to tell others that they are hurting or having thoughts about harming themselves because they are ashamed. They don’t want to seem weak, or “burden” others with their problems. In my talk, I would emphasize the importance of enabling people to discuss their feelings without judgement. Many people who are depressed just want someone they can trust who will listen to them, not judge them. I would also emphasize the importance of family members and friends assuring their depressed loved one that they are not a burden. It’s perfectly normal to talk about issues or vent about things that frustrate us, but it’s especially important to talk about any possible suicidal feelings. Equally important, is the need for family members and friends to assure their loved one that they should not have the burden of dealing with suicidal thoughts alone.

The final topic I would touch on in my TED Talk would be about seeking help. Sometimes depression can’t be fought without professional help, but there are so many negative stigmas associated with visiting a psychologist or psychiatrist, that many people refuse to go. As a society, we can help end this stigma by assuring depressed individuals that going to see a doctor does not mean that you are crazy or weak. In fact, it means the exact opposite. Seeking help when you know you really need it means that you have a strong resolve to take care of yourself, and you want to get better. In my talk, I would encourage friends and family members of depressed individuals to ensure their loved one that seeing a doctor or therapist can be very beneficial and can aid in their recovery.

I would give a TED Talk about depression because it is more common than people think. I was shocked upon discovering how many friends and family members I know have or once had depression. Another reason why I chose this topic is because it can affect anyone at any time. Some become depressed during their pubescent years, while others may become depressed after a major tragedy in their life. This illness affects men, women, children, teens, adults, and the elderly. Depression is a force that can cause death and can literally ruin lives. Depression has impacted my life and the lives of many others. Battling depression does not have to have an unhappy ending. With the support of family, friends, or doctors, people can win their battle against depression. Given the opportunity, I would like to talk and educate people about a relevant subject that society refuses to give sufficient attention to.