What is depression? A desire to just hang out and not go to school or work? A simple craving for more of the foods you know you don’t need? These may be part of the picture but people who have experienced or treated depression will tell you it’s much more than a simple desire or craving. Depression can be crippling.

The mind and emotions can be involved when a person is depressed and, for these reasons, many people are reluctant to seek professional help because they don’t want to be perceived as weak, unstable, damaged. Yet, professional, and sometimes spiritual intervention are exactly what the doctor has ordered. My appreciation and thanks to the people like Terrie Williams and Lisa M. Brown who have decided to tell their stories so more people of all ages and cultures can be empowered to reach out for the help they need.