#faceofdepression
De hashtag geeft antwoord op de vraag: ‘Hoe ziet een depressief persoon er eigenlijk uit?’. Waar velen huilende mensen op de badkamervloer voor zich zien, is de realiteit anders. De foto’s die gedeeld worden laten zien dat mensen met depressieve gedachten deze juist verbergen en ‘gewoon normaal’ doen. Ook zij lachen.

Chester Bennington
Onlangs deelde de vrouw van Linkin Park zanger Chester Bennington een video van hem, 36 uur voordat hij zelfmoord pleegde. Er is te zien dat hij nog de grootste lol heeft met zijn familie. Zijn vrouw wilde met de video aangeven dat depressie niet altijd te koppelen is aan een bepaalde stemming. Ook onderstaande mensen deelden beelden van mensen die kamp(t)en met een depressie.

1. Deze moeder laat weten dat je nooit aan haar kon zien dat ze depressief was. 

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It is #suicideprevention month. This is my #faceofdepression. I have battled #depression for the last 20+years. You'd never know by looking at me but I was having suicidal thoughts hourly at the time of this picture. I wanted nothing more than to be at peace with myself and just disappear. My kids make me happy as hell but with a #mentalillness those things don't matter. It is irrelevant. The darkness covers up all the reasons you think you have for living. It's not a choice. #suicide can be prevented and depression doesn't need to control your life. It takes persistence and patience but it is possible. Through therapy, medication, intensive hospital care and peer support I am able to look back on this picture and view it as a victory that I was able to overcome my depression and be living in recovery. It is my hope that we start to understand that it affects all people, races, ages, genders, income brackets etc. Depression doesn't have a look. #stopthestigma #survive

A post shared by Justin Titus (@jtitus311) on Sep 28, 2017 at 6:00pm PDT

2. Dit meisje deelt een heftige foto, zeven uur voordat zij een zelfmoordpoging deed. 

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This photo was taken just 7 hours before I tried to take my own life for the 3rd time. This photo was taken in the morning, we went for a walk and for some food with Eli. We laughed and enjoyed our time. That evening I took an overdose that left me in hospital for a week. . I had no idea I'd try to take my own life in the morning, I was smiling and loved the way my hair looked hence the selfie. Having BPD (undiagnosed for so long because the NHS wouldn't listen) means that my mood can switch to suicidal in seconds over the slightest trigger. . Suicidal isn't just crying, for those with a troubled life and long build ups to breaking point, it's also snap decisions made whilst your son sleeps in the same house and your loving partner kissed you goodnight hours before. . We need to learn how suicidal tendencies can present themselves beyond our ignorance to the topic. By listening and learning even the tiniest triggers/signs we can save lives. ❤️

A post shared by Milly🌻 (@selfloveclubb) on Sep 20, 2017 at 11:21am PDT

3. Deze moeder deelt een foto van haar depressieve dochter van acht. 

4. De vrouw van de zanger Chester Bennington deelt regelmatig foto’s van haar lachende man, die inmiddels overleden is. 

This was days b4 my husband took his own life.Suicidal thoughts were there,but you'd. Never kmow. #fuckdepression pic.twitter.com/2IPXxXJxmT

— Talinda Bennington (@TalindaB) September 7, 2017

5. Deze moeder deelt een foto van haar zoon, een aantal minuten voordat hij googelde hoe hij zichzelf moest ophangen, en twee dagen voor hij dat ook deed.

6. Deze vrouw staat lachend op de foto en geeft aan dat depressie niet maar één gezicht heeft. 

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This is my #faceofdepression // There is NO face to depression. I post so many photos of me smiling, me with Sofía smiling, me doing amazing things…but I still suffer with painful anxiety and depression. And let me just say, the last thing we want to hear is, "you have no reason to be depressed." Trust me, we do not choose this route. Some days I'll be out doing something I truly enjoy and then all of the sudden, here it comes, my chest tightens up into a ball for who knows what reason?! Every day is a battle for me even though I don't show it sometimes…other times I can really show it which leads me to push people away and hide. And sometimes when we push you away, don't run away, just approach us gently even if it means just coming over with a brownie and sitting in silence. Yes, I am a happy person with a wonderful life that I'm so blessed to live, but sometimes that still can't beat that demon of depression in my head. Do not ever let any moment with any person slip by you. Lift others up as you'd want to be lifted to. And to people who don't have depression and don't understand, that's okay. You don't have to understand all we are feeling or facing, we just need your support and encouragement. Life is too beautiful and too precious. Love, really love, those around you and always let them know they aren't alone. And to those out there who need someone, you are always welcome to reach out to me, because I also need you. Sometimes even just a simple "how are you" can save someone's life. I hope my story can help others. #itsokaynottobeokay #suicideprevention #stopthestigma

A post shared by claire (@claireelaina) on Sep 28, 2017 at 6:17pm PDT

7. Deze vrouw deelt een foto van haar man, twee weken voordat hij zichzelf van het leven beroofde. 

8. Dit dappere meisje geeft aan al meerdere zelfmoordpogingen gedaan te hebben.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZmLXnWlGB_/?tagged=faceofdepression

9. Dit meisje heeft een boodschap: ook depressieve mensen hebben lol.

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who said depressed people don't have fun? we smile, we laugh, we fool around, hell we even party, but sometimes our demons get the better of us and we just cave in… this was taken 8 years back when i ODd.. had a couple attempts before this.. it was an everyday battle, no matter what I did it just finds it's way back. depression doesn't have a face people! we don't walk around with broken faces, we try hard to put up a face all the time. we really try, so people around us dnt feel bad that they cnt do anything for us and that no one else gets tangled in our messy head. depression is ugly bt it doesn't always show until it's too late. so blessed to have had a break through, i still have the thoughts but holding on to God's promises every second i get a triggger is what made it possible. claiming my God is stronger than depression or any sickness. #faceofdepression

A post shared by Jen Descalsota (@jendescalsota) on Sep 28, 2017 at 9:54pm PDT

10. Als laatst deze dappere moeder, die heel dankbaar is dat haar zelfmoordpoging van een paar maanden geleden niet gelukt is. 

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TBT to April when I hit the lowest point in my life. This was taken right before I decided I didn't and couldn't live anymore. I was miserable with every aspect of my life. I thought i was a shitty mother and I couldn't do anything right. The next night, I took pills in attempt to finish it all. Thank god it was unsuccessful, but I battle every day with anxiety and depression and I am doing everything in my power to live and love. My mental illness has already cost me my job, I don't want it to cost me everything else. I am getting stronger and better for myself and my children. The sigma towards mental illness has to end. #tbt #faceofdepression #anxietysucks #survivor #thefaceofdepression #justkeepswimming #suicidepreventionmonth

A post shared by Kathy (@bongosmom) on Sep 28, 2017 at 9:59pm PDT

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