'This Too Shall Pass': Worst things to say to someone going through depression

The undeniable feeling of loneliness that hijacks the mind, eat away the personality, and snuffs out our lives; depression is spreading its poisonous tentacles quite vigorously in modern times.

In the current scenario, the ever-growing peer pressure, unresolved emotional problems, the feeling of being at a peculiar spot, and anything else can lead to this feeling of depression. Age, gender, nationality, social status, monetary security has nothing to do with it. Depression is a state of mind and anyone can be a victim of it.

The news of Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide has once again triggered the discussion over depression. From sharing helpline numbers to sharing stories of depression with their “it can happen to anyone” anecdotes, social media abuzz with information about this topic. 

Well, there is no doubt that the discussion over depression should be more common in India, a more compassionate approach should be practiced. 

Offering advice or wisdom may be something you do with only good intentions in mind for a person suffering from depression but the words you use may not convey the message you want to send especially if you don't understand the nature of depression and mental illness.

Here are a few things that you should NEVER say to a person who is suffering from depression...

1. "This Too Shall Pass" or "Let It Go"

2. “But it’s all in your mind.”

3. "I am here for you"

4. “No one ever said life was fair.”

5. "But you don't look depressed!"

6. “I thought you were stronger than that.”

7. “You have it so good, why aren’t you happy?”

8. “You have so many things to be thankful for, why are you depressed!”

9. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself.”

10. “There are a lot of people worse off than you?”

11. “Have you got PMS?”

12. Go out and have some fun!”

13. “You’re making me depressed as well…”

14. “Just try a little harder!”

15. “You have no reason to feel this way.”

16. “Just don’t think about it.”

Depression is the great plague of our era. According to a World Health Organization report in 2018, over 350 million people suffer from depression. In India, the social stigma around depression and other mental illnesses results in many such cases being undiagnosed and untreated.

In India, more than five percent of the population suffers from common mental disorders like anxiety and depression. The figure seems intimidating, but in a country like ours where capturing mental health-related data is in itself a challenge, one fears that the numbers are well above that.

For depression, a little more compassionate approach should be practiced.  If you know someone who is suffering from depression, heal them with love, care, and little more patience.