Depression is not a choice

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Creating Awarness on Depression

Depression is a state where one feels numb and the world around them feels useless, often find themselves trapped in preset patterns and circles. Depression more likely isolates one from the world and takes them into a parallel universe affecting their thinking with excessive pessimism and cynicism.

It is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. According to WHO, during a depressive episode, the person experiences depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, empty) or a loss of pleasure or interest in activities, for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. Several other symptoms are also present, which may include poor concentration, feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth, hopelessness about the future, thoughts about dying or suicide, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite or weight, and feeling especially tired or low in energy.

This post is made in hopes to educate and advocate people – specifically teens and adults – on one of the common mental disorder, depression. Though it’s one of the most common mental disorders out there, it still remains a dark topic to unravel due to fear of being judged and the stigma around mental disorders, making it harder for one to open up.

Compelling them to swallow in the hollowness of the mental torture that depression brings. But my team and I, are here to normalize mental disorders, we are here to be the voice that reminds you it’s okay to not be okay. We are here to support you!

“Depression is being colorblind and constantly told how colorful the world is”

– Atticus

Why should we care about it?

We should care about depression because:

1) It will effect our social, personal and professional life: Poor mental health can lead to people distancing themselves from family and peers, as well giving off the wrong impression to bosses and employers leading them to lose their job.

2) Increases the risk of chronic diseases: An increase in diseases such as extreme weight loss, Coronary artery disease, HIV/AIDS, stroke and even cancer can all be caused by severe depression.

3) Decreases life expectancy as a person might commit suicide: Untreated clinical depression forces people to commit suicide as they lose their sense of self as they transcend into the loops and vicious circles of this peculiar melancholy that depression brings.

Being away from depression will allow one to be more mindful, transforming mind full to mindfulness

How common is this health condition?

The severity of mood disorders such as depression can vary from person to person depending on the state of their lives, their health, and their age. A simple statement like “depression is common or uncommon” would be too broad. However, once we look at the facts, we find that one in five Canadians suffer from depression. In addition, more than half of those over 40 have some type of mood disorder. Also, this is something that isn’t just exclusive to anything such as gender or ethnicity. The average female will experience major depression at some point during her life, compared with 11% of men. That seems small on paper, but when you consider that there are 7 billion people on this planet with a constantly growing population, that 5% really adds up. Everyone has the potential to be mentally ill at any given time, but it is important to recognize that you may be experiencing mental difficulties at any given time. I could provide facts for hours, but from just those two statistics alone we can conclude that it is a serious issue that requires further attention.

Who is affected by this condition?

 Globally, it is estimated that 5.0% of adults suffer from depression

More women are affected by depression than men.

       Latest, annual survey commissioned by Field Trip Health given below

depression rate during covid-19 pandemic within Canada

Unsurprisingly, the survey also revealed that Canadians have turned to a number of different coping mechanisms to deal with the negative thoughts or emotions that are

  • Watching porn
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Gambling
  • Overeating
  • Excessive Screen time and binge watching

And very few people seeking for help and taking proper treatment
And then sadly to say:
Untreated depression increases a person’s risk of suicide.

Where to find support?

There are many resources available for the majority of economic classes in Ontario nowadays to help support those suffering from depression, addiction, and other mental health issues. A good place to start is looking online, free and paid online therapy, help phones, and tips on how to help yourself overcome depression through small everyday actions are just a click away. Due to the Covid-19 crisis, and its negative impact on many Canadian’s mental health, there are even government websites with a plethora of resources directly linked to mental health and depression issues many have faced due to the global crisis. That’s not to say that can be helpful for everyone, if you’re suffering from more severe depression, or thoughts of hurting yourself or others, it is always a good idea to check in with your doctor as the first line of defense. If self-help or online help aren’t appealing to you, there is always the option of in-person therapy, however therapy sessions are not always affordable for a lot of people without insurance. Your doctor can help find OHIP-covered alternatives for you depending on your financial situation, such as group therapy through a hospital, or even other general practitioners who also specialize in psychotherapy and are therefore covered by OHIP. Depending on the severity of your depression, in-patient hospital therapy is another option to help get you back on your feet, with a combination of medication, therapy, mindfulness techniques, and a regular schedule, in a professional setting under the watch and care of professionals who can help make sure you’re on the right track. The first step in getting help is for you or someone you love to recognize you need help, from there, it’s a matter of finding the resource and resolution that suits you. It isn’t always a short easy process to get better, and it can often seem daunting and pointless to start, but all it takes is a small step to break the ice.

Many blogs help find the tools to manage depression too!

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, please let them know that support is available. A few resources are listed below:

Click this link for some support resources https://wellbeing.pinterest.com/depression-resources/

Call Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566

If you or someone is in immediate danger, call 911

Visit Crisis Services Canada for the distress centres and crisis organizations nearest to you for regional support

Call Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

All of the above resourses are also listed on https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html

References:

Post Authors

Andrew Robinson

Savreen Kaur Grewal

Saher Madhani

Sandra Ahlberg

An example of Banality of Heroism from Squid Game

Banality of Heroism in Squid Game

Squid Game

Squid Game is a series that is set in capitalist dystopian society where income inequality is prevalent. The debt-stricken individuals, who are living a life like that in hell in the outside world, are summoned to play a series of deadly survival games based on Korean children’s games for a chance to be the only man standing and win a hefty amount which can cease their financial burden. Most of the players are those who are under huge debts, and some have even waived off their right to their organs to loan sharks. The themes like family and friendship, easy and quick money and its consequence, fickle nature of public, banality of heroism, complicity as well as stark contrast between simplicity of children’s games and complexity of life is well portrayed in this series.

The main protagonist of the series, Song Gi Hun, player no. 456 is a chauffer and gambling addict with huge debts and a broken family. Though the series show true human nature of raw greed, some players managed to show their kindness, compassion and empathy for one another even when it could cost their own life, reminding us of hope and humanity in a brutal world. The player no. 456 believes in humanity, and it is his ethical value, and this is made clear by his little acts of helping stray animals and people around him.

Player no. 1 And Player no. 456

In the beginning of game 4, the players are told to make pairs of 2 people when the total no. of players were 39. Nobody knew what game they were to play, whether it would require strength or agility or a sharp mind. An atmosphere of uneasiness was created, and meticulous players were busy finding themselves a physically fit partner deserting the old man. The scene has deep and meticulous emotion. It soon became clear that no one wanted to partner with the old man (player no. 1 with dementia), who was left waiting for his impending death as he wouldn’t even have a chance to play the game and would be eliminated (get killed). When confronted with this reality, player no. 456, who could have partnered with a young physically active player, could not get himself to let the poor old man die like this. He immediately went back to the old man and asked him to be his partner knowing that it could affect his performance as the old man could prove to be a weak link of his team. This goes on to show how a hero resides in the ordinary. As heroism is a concern to help others knowing there is a personal risk involved, I believe that what player no. 456 did in this scene was indeed heroic.

All the players were in the same situation, with similar backgrounds but when the players came forward to help one another and showed compassion to strangers even in a game of survival where opponents are enemies by doing so, they challenged the notion that only advantaged people (rich and powerful etc.) can help the less advantaged ones. Therefore, proving that hero can be an ordinary person who has risen from ordinariness and does not necessarily possess superpowers but a heroic imagination. The concept of Banality of Heroism which states we all are heroes and rise when we are called upon by the circumstances or conditions, and what happens when we are confronted with those circumstances which call action and the types of imagination that stimulates is well showcased in the show.

Reference: Squid Game, episode no. 6, ‘Gganbu’ (date released: 17 September 2021)

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Forest

Like every other kid, who is yet to be robbed off their innocence Jules was curious by nature. She would ponder in deep thoughts which were linked gracefully and their sense (was something which) would often become the great and a huge part of the mystery. It was often missing but never really missed. 

Magic lies within

Like a gust of air, she used fly to past, unnoticed. And that must be the reason why she was a pro in hide and seek. She would stand behind the trees whenever in trouble as though it will save her from consequences. Those trees, trails, and that damp woody misty essence which lingered up the place, taught her something much more than the materialistic, superstitious and fickle world can ever know.

Trees and Trails

There is much to gain than to lose

The trees became her companion and followed her every where in the little world of hers, listening to the tales she had to tell. The scent which enchantedly lingered over the place was something enchanted enough to escape one from their grieves. Uplifting the soul with every breath.

The sounds heard when she ran up and down, trailing down those narrow trails would echo before subsiding. With her steps, she went snapping sticks from fallen off branches and the crisp of the dried out leaves.

True Beauty

Forest’s Child

Those trees taught her her to stand tall and face the harshness which the winds and the changing times brought. Taught her to flutter freely like the leaves of a tree in the air. To spread an aroma, an essence full of life, which would go on transforming mind full to mindfulness, lonliness to lonelilessness. This is the force, the power which she inherited from the forest.

Exciting stuff to try during LOCKDOWN

From larp to T- shirt painting:

For those who don’t know what LARP is, it is the abbreviation for Live Action Role Play, which I personally just found out about, recently. This quarantine had led me to explore and stumble upon new exciting stuff in literature, games, and sciences.

So here’s recap of what I’ve came across in sciences, I learned about EMI (electomagnetic induction), and motion dampening caused by induced field. It was interesting to know that owing to these two phenomenas, high speed trains and roller coasters are stopped using magnetic braking system.

I painted a T- shirt with my bitmoji on it, using some acrylic paints. I hope you would like to see cause here’s a picture of it.

T-Shirt painting

And created some character cards for LARP’s sake, even a lease agreement, and hurled some custom clothing.

The process of painting a t-shirt is really calming and I recommend doing it if you are into art. The other thing which I enjoy is cycling.

A Tale to Scare: ‘Lost and Never Found’

grimly pretty

On this very day years ago, Riffy was all set to rock on her music concert in Philadelphia. She couldn’t believe it was finally the most awaited day of her life. Riffy was the lead singer of her rock band, The Dragons. The Band had worked for years to fulfill their dreams, and it seemed they got a perfect opportunity as this concert which was organised by International Music Hunt, a famous music company. That means their band could get a global recognition. This was the most desired crave of The Dragons, and it should be, for years they have been working on their talent which had payed off and refined their skills.Jimmy and Sam were a bit apprehensive, nervous as well as excited , this feeling wasn’t leaving them alone.And that’s how our girl , Riffy was feeling, after all it was their big day. Hoping for the best they showcased their talent on stage and were glad to receive a positive response from the audience which relieved them from worrying. In all the hustle and reverberation time flew past and soon it was late.

And they were ready to drive back to their hotel, as each one of them was exhausted. They came out of the auditorium from the VIP door, and luckily the fans could not spot them. They stood under a shed waiting for their vanity van to arrive, which to there relief was already parked at the corner of a dingy car park. Jimmy asks,”How come we are the only ones standing here, where did all the others go?”.To this Riffy replied,”we came out from the back, remember?”. And all of the three began laughing at Jimmy’s forgetfulness.

The driver drove the car to where the band was standing. Two of them just opened the doors and flung themselves in. While Sam saw something strange through the driver’s window, he stood motionless trying to have clearer view, when Jimmy pulled him inside. Without further ado the driver pulled the car on the road. As they sat in there quietly, scrolling through their phones, there was a subtle strangeness in the atmosphere.

Riffy was showing the highlights of the event to Sam and Jimmy. When her glance fell upon the driver’s seat and to her surprise it seemed as though no one was sitting there. She thought that it might be a delusion and ignored it, rather began laughing. And told it to both of them but soon her laughter transformed into fear. When Sam, who was leaning towards the driver’s seat peaked and realised that there was nothing but air and yet they were being driven. ‘How can this old car go, on its own?’, ‘Am I hallucinating?’ he shouted in fear.

Then suddenly they felt a presence dark figure sitting just behind them. All of them turned to discover the driver sitting at the back seat of the car. The man laughed grimly while he held his head with both his hands and turned it at 360 degrees. It was then, when the lights went out and utter silence submerged in. It’s been years, yet no one knows, where Riffy and her band disappeared from that event? And this story of what might had happened spread like wildfire.

-Savreen(ariagrim)

My Quarantine Art

Now that we have the time to do all that we ever wanted to do, so, why don’t we use it effectively. I too, like all other students have online classes going on. I too, have hobbies. And today, I am willing to flash some of my quarantine cartoon sketches here with you all, to inspire you to explore your creative side.

Together we can bring lifeless sheets of paper to life with a stroke of brush. Explore in the world full of serendipity.

Do you, just like eveybody else in the world, want, to go out of your house? I know this is a common yearning, no worries here is a solution to it. Put your emotions into your art work and you will be able to teleport to places, different worlds of imaginations without even leaving your room. AND DON’T TELL ME IT’S DIFFICULT, cause it’s not.

1. Blue haired girl (Hue Magic)

blue vibes

2. Girl Cartoon Sketch (DARK AND FURY)

dark and fury

5 meaningful poetic verses, explained!

Here, I present you with a few poetic verses that have the power to move. Let’s delve in the ocean of emotions without any delay. 

1.  Do not stand on my grave and weep. 
     I am not there. I do not sleep.
    I am a thousand winds that blow.
    I am the diamond glints on the snow.
    I am the sun on ripened grain.
    I am the gentle autumn rain.
- Mary Elizabeth Frye

The poem is deep and has a touching vibe. It reminds us, humans, of their losses. Guides us, to stay strong, in form of a voice. This voice reassures, saying that one should not stand on graves to cry. Rather embrace the different forms of nature and discover its powers to heal. These winds,rains,snow and sun are the elements of universe, often lay unnoticed by our impetuous eyes. This verse has another dimension to it which is beyond delineation.

2.     I wandered lonely as a cloud.
 That floats on high over vales and hills.
When all at once I saw a crowd, 
A host of golden daffodils.
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
 Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
- William Wordsworth, I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, "Daffodils"
daffodils

The poem is bright and cheerful. The one in which the poet is admiring the nature which is no doubt beautiful. Here, this verse indicates that the poet is as lonely as a cloud, floating over valleys and hills, when while exploring he came across a huge number of daffodils.The view gave him immense pleasure. The fluttering and dancing of those daffodils left such an impact on the poet that even when he is in a pensive mood, the image the daffodils flashes in his mind releaving him of all the tensions leaving with just blissful pleasure. Nature has the power to uplift and lighten the soul if only we let ourselves get to know it.

Fun fact: Once when William Wordsworth was on a walk with his sister he came upon a sight of ‘a belt of Daffodils’.

3.     Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into frsagments
By narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
-Rabindranath Tagore, Where the mind is without fear

The poet dives in, where the mind is free and without fear. A place where one can explore and let their creativity flow, without any fear as knowledge is vast and boundless.In a world which has not yet been confined to bounderies dividing it into cities,states, and nations. Stating what is national and what is not. It is, where, the words are true. And everyone is in search of bettering their selves. A nation, indeed should be a place where dreams are born. 

4.       Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be for
My unconquerable soul.
-William Ernest Henley, Invictus
# Aura

The poem is strong and bold away from despair. Suggests that the poet’s soul is invictus as he lay dying on his death bed yet his soul is unwilling to surrender to his fears. Soon enough his vision was blurring and darkness cripled in. he could not see a thing as the darkness grew yet he wasn’t afraid of dying. Rather he was thanking the God for his life.

5.   Say this city has ten million souls,
Some are living in mansions,some living in holes:
Yet thers no place for us, my dare, yet thers no place for us.
Once we had country and we thought it fair,
Look in the atlas and you'll find it there:
We cannot go there now, my dear, we cannot go there now.
-W.H. Auden, Refugee Blues

It is a anti- war poem, that sharply criticises the destruction and death caused by war. This is a powerful poem that echoes Wilfred Owens’ famous quote “the pity of war”. The poem stands against discrimination among castes, creeds and races. The poet ironically exclaims that there were many places to live but none for the jews. He draws contrast between people living in mansions and the ones living in death holes.

Fun fact: The emotions are also well portrayed in the movie, ‘The Boy In Stripped Pyjamas’, set in the time between world war II.

The boy in stripped pyjamas