The word ‘depression’ has become so common an ingrained in society that it almost seems normal to say it. The problem is, by trivializing this severe and upsetting condition, it does a total disservice to anyone who is struggling on a day to day basis, trying to steer clear of the darkness and battle back towards the light.

Depression is nothing to joke about, and nothing to normalize or trivialize. We need to be more open and honest about our mental health and kick out the stigma which has some how remained attached to a condition which is startlingly common.

The problem is, by allowing the stigma to remain, by making people feel that they can’t speak about the way they’re feeling, we’re publicizing suffering.