One of the most difficult aspects of depression is the feeling of isolation and the false belief that you are the only one that is suffering from this affliction.

This is (at least in part) due to the ongoing societal stigma about depression and mental health problems.

Things are improving but there is still a long way to go.

The stigma combined with the skewed (negative) thinking that occurs during depression results in many people suffering in silence until they can’t take it any more.

The recent suspected suicide of Chris Cornell (from Soundgarden) has illustrated how depression and it’s most severe outcome (suicide) can strike even the rich and famous.

Success does not shield people from these problems.

Suicide is not the answer though

When you reach the breaking point of despair it can seem the only way to escape is taking drastic action.

In many cases suicide seems like the easiest option. Your mind is clouded to the point where you can’t see any other way out.

Often people who have reach this point have been “keeping up appearances” to hide the true situation from everyone around them.

They are unable to comprehend any other resolution. It seems to be the only fix.

The thing is that it may appear that it will fix things for you but it leaves utter devastation in your wake.

Your family and your friends will never be the same again. They will be racked by guilt and regrets.

Some will likely go to an early grave as a result of the strain.

“What if?” can destroy a person’s life if they blame themselves for the death of a loved one.

Don’t suffer in silence

Ifyou are suffering from depression or are suicidal, don’t suffer in silence.

The first step is to speak to someone.

Unfortunately due to the way that depression warps your thinking this will seem like the hardest thing to do.

There is often shame and guilt that makes it hard to broach the subject with people that you know and are closest to you.

One way around this is to talk to a neutral person. There are many services that offer this kind of support.

For example in the UK (and US) there are the Samaritans.

They offer telephone and in-person support. They can also help to clarify your situation and get you further help/more in depth support.

During the depths of depression it can be very hard to think clearly and another person who can look objectively at your situation can be invaluable in clearing through this fog.

I know because I have been there.

If you are in that dark situation use Google to see what services are available in your area (just try googling depression support).

Another alternative is to call up your local GP (General Practitioner) surgery/health centre as they can signpost you to the service that you need.

There are often specifically tailored services for different situations — e.g. for bereavement, drug problems etc.

If you are a spiritual person then your Church or religious centre will also likely have some support services which may be more suited to you.

-Just pick up the phone and ask.

It may seem like a really difficult thing to do, but just taking that one little action can set you on the path towards making things better.

No matter how bad it seems now it will get better

One of the disorders of thought that occurs during depression is a particular brand of nihilism and fatalism that says that things will never get better.