Sunday Inspiration: Depression and Anxiety
This powerful video was sent to me by a friend whose daughter made the video and later ended her own life, overcome by the depression and anxiety that had haunted her too long. This is what she says about it:
“My daughter Margaret (Peggy) was making a video on depression and anxiety aimed at teenagers before she committed suicide. We hired an editor and finished the video. For anyone who wants to watch it I am attaching the YouTube link. If you know any teachers or social workers that can use it in classrooms or other mental health workshops, please share the link with them. We can also send them a DVD.”
This video was particularly meaningful to me, since I know the family, but also because my own mother suffered with serious depression and anxiety all her life. In turn I know how deeply this can affect family members who want to help and make things better and can’t find a way to do it.
If you’re suffering from depression, there’s no shame in looking for help and finding whatever means you must to overcome it. I’ve seen antidepressants work miracles and reset the chemical balance needed for moving forward and gaining control. Talk therapy may help, as well as group and family therapy. Exercise, a healthy diet, whatever it takes. Just make that first step toward good health.
If you’re the friend or family of a depressed person, there’s no shame in looking for help for yourself, either. You need all the tools you can muster to help yourself and those you love move through this. I’m reminded of the airplane video that points out that if the airplane loses altitude and the oxygen masks appear, put yours on first before you help those around you. If you aren’t functioning, you’re no good to the people who may need you.
I hope this video helps. Peggy’s mom says a DVD is available to share, and if you would like one, contact me here at my website and I’ll put you in touch with her. Together, let’s reach out in all the ways that make sense and make a difference wherever we can.
So sad about Peggy’s death, but I am sure her video will help others. This is such a debilitating illness that has a horrible stigma to it when in essence, it could be equaled to diabetes or any other hormonal or chemical disease. The medical profession needs to step up and realize depression and anxiety are serious conditions. I’ve heard people say, “Snap out of it!” Do others think those suffering with this like feeling this way? NO! And it’s not something one can snap out of. Help is needed and God bless Peggy’s mom for supplying this video. It should be shown in schools and hospitals, and wherever needed.
Excellent video. Thanks for sharing this.
When we got the call from the adoption agency that they had a baby for us, we were told that the mother had taken drugs during her pregnancy. From almost the first day, we knew that this child would have emotional problems brought on by the drugs before his birth, He was able to keep his condition in check until his early 30’s but then he suffered several major problems that resulted in hospitalization numerous times. At 36 he went to his favorite fishing spot and ended his pain. Our son had help all of his life, but there are so many who have never had any help, which is so sad,
Jane, I am so sorry your son suffered so and finally ended his life. I am sorry that he was put through this terrible trial in the first place, and that all who loved him suffered, too. Thank you for sharing here, because sometimes we ignore the reality of others emotional pain and what they struggle with. We can’t imagine what brought them to a place where dying was better than living. And you helped put a face on depression here, as Peggy does in the video.