On the 5th of June, I woke up in the morning, proceeded with my daily routine (I don’t have one, but let’s just say), switched on my phone, and the first thing I went on was Instagram. I scrolled through the posts just to find that renown fashion designer Kate Spade, 55, committed suicide by hanging. I was devastated by this shocking news. I later got over it Just to wake up on another beautiful morning, thanking God for life, as usual, I checked Instagram for updated news just to find out that Anthony Bourdain, 61 years old American chef, also committed suicide by hanging. I thought to myself: “what’s happening to the world?, “are we already in our last days?” These questions kept reoccurring in my head as to why people keep on committing suicide. Don’t they want to live and enjoy life?, aren’t they thinking of their loved ones, and the pain they would go through? I thought to myself. As usual, after several hours I forgot about this recent news. My final encounter with the news of suicide attempt was the 11th of June when I was on Instagram, and people kept on posting help lines if anyone knew if a close friend or someone was suffering from depression. Then I found out the reason behind this: a Nigerian woman jumped into the lagoon for whatever unfounded reason as of now, and I thought to myself once again “why?” Why the thoughts of suicide attempts?, just why?
These thoughts kept reoccurring in my head, and I thought to myself: why not write about it. Mental health is a serious issue/case happening in the world, and many of us do not know, and understand how aggravating the issue of poor mental health is in our environment not to talk of the world. Recently, I was reading a book called “A Remarkable Medicine Has Been Overlooked” by Jack Dreyfus. This book talks about a medicine called Phenytoin (PHT) that can be used to cure various medical conditions especially mental disorders. From this book, I got to know that there are majorly two types of depression, and they are endogeneous, and exogeneous. Endogeneous depression is a type of depression that occurs from within, that is there is no identifiable cause of the depression. It is mostly due to a chemical, and electrical imbalance in the brain. While exogeneous depression is due to external factors. Personally, I feel we should be aware of mental illnesses, specifically depression, to identify when needed.
I’m writing this to not just inform you of the happenings of the world. Neither am I writing this to scare or bore you, but i’m writing this to tell those of you out there suffering from any form of mental illnesses, most especially depression, that you’re worth it, and that you have a purpose in life. Nothing or anyone should be given so much importance to cause you to be depressed or even think of suicidal attempts. You’re a special and unique being, and if insecurities concerning your body, financial life, success, and achievements are causing you to feel unwanted in this world therefore causing depression, just know that someone is there with you. and that nobody is worth any inch of your soul, body, and mind but yourself. Learn not to define yourself by the amount of money you have, the number of friends you have, the kind of house you live in and so on, and also learn to not compare yourself with others because you’re a unique being created by God, and everyone has his/her time to shine. Please keep that in mind because at the end of the day we are judged by our characters, and the impacts we have left on the world or as little as the people around us. I want you all to just know that you’re Queens and Kings. And I would like to add that if there was something you did unknowingly that is causing you to feel guilty, just know that there’s a reason for everything, and you shouldn’t hit your head against the wall because you did it unknowingly just let it go. You should also know that you do not have the power to control everything, and every situation you find yourself in, but know that one thing you would always have control over is to make the best out of every situation you find yourself in. If you need help emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually try consulting the one who I know has always been there for me from the start “the almighty GOD.” And if you’ve tried, and feel that you’ve not gotten help, know that it’s OK, and that there’s time for everything. He will reveal Himself to you only if you’re patient and willing. Nevertheless, there are other people you can talk to like your closest pals, and always be open to whatever that might work because your health is your priority. Just know that you will be fine, and if you feel you’re not, make sure to seek help from a medical or professional personnel.
Finally, I would like us to read more on mental health and depression. I will give some links below.
http://www.psychologytoday.com
#letsfightmentalillness
Kofoworola.com 