"It's not easy facin' up when your whole world is black." - the Rolling Stones

As a psychology major, of course I have a vested interest in mental health. But my involvement is much deeper and much more personal than that. My life and the lives of people close to me have been touched by depression, suicide, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and sexual abuse. Think that mental illness doesn't affect you? Think again.

30,000 people kill themselves in the United States every year. That's just under the number of people who live in Shelby County, where I live. 80% of the people who suffer from depression can be effectively treated, but only 30% of those people seek treatment. The reasons for this are many: no transportation, no insurance, the stigma associated with mental illness, etc.

I've gone through at least two major depressions. The last one landed me in a therapist's office. I spent most of 2000 in therapy, and finally got my act together. I still have bad moods at times, but on the whole I'm feeling great, and coping with life much more effectively. The picture on this page is by Lee Ann Meyenberg; I came across while I was lost in my black hole. I identified with it strongly. I'd never before understood why depressed people cut themselves, but it started to make sense. Somehow the simultaneous pain and numbness that you feel on the inside make you want to feel something on the outside, too.

If you've never experienced depression, I don't expect you to understand this. Hopefully you never will be depressed. But it's likely that one day you will have to deal with depression - if not you, then with a loved one, friend, or family member. The most important thing I can tell you is to take that person seriously. Don't tell them to cheer up, or that things will get better. Don't tell them it's all in their head. Just be there. Listen. Try to get them professional help. If it's someone you're very close to, it's not going to be easy. You'll be tempted to say the hell with them. But don't. It's worth it. Trust me. I know.


For more information on mental illness and how to get treatment, go to www.NoStigma.org Or if you need to talk to someone immediately, call 1-800-SUICIDE.