Photos Showing That Depression Has No Face Or Mood

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, an important reminder to look out for signs of depression within yourself and among loved ones, as well as your capacity to make positive change on a local and global scale.

This past September, Instagram and Facebook were flooded with the hashtag #faceofdepression, with thousands of users around the world making the point that there really isn’t one. There aren’t necessarily visible glaring red flags or outward displays of ‘sadness’ when someone is suffering with this hugely untreated and undiagnosed disorder. As a matter of fact, many appear happy and even overjoyed with their lives, until the unspeakable occurs. Often, those in anguish prefer to hide their true emotions, to suffer alone so as not to ‘burden’ their loved ones with their grief.

A recent video posted by Chester Bennington’s widow hours before his suicide is a prime example of the lengths people go to hide their pain, as well as the non-discriminatory nature of the beast. If you feel as though you may be afflicted, check yourself for these 10 concealed depression habits and don’t be ashamed or afraid to seek help if you find yourself engaging in these behaviors.

Here are a few of their very important stories.

Aubernutter of Instagram says: What does depression look like? Let me tell you … depression has NO face. Both of these photos are of a girl who struggles. Depression isn’t always crying on the bathroom floor. It exists behind smiles and laughter. It’s found at parties and graduations. It doesn’t care what color you are, your age, your gender. Depression doesn’t care how beautiful or successful you are. Do you ever hear people say ” but they had so much going for them. They were such a happy person. They had so many friends”. Because it’s true. Some of the kindest people are the ones with so much pain. We need to end the stigma. Depression has many faces and we need to continue to educate and support people with mental illness. Use your voice for people who can’t use theirs. Depression HAS NO FACE. #faceofdepression

Selfloveclubb of Instagram: 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. ❤️

Agnieszka Ostrowska of Facebook: “This is my boyfriend two weeks before hanging himself. Will never understand it… 😢”

beelowe1209 of Instagram: #faceofdepression yes I have struggled with depression all my life. I have given birth to two beautiful children and they are my life. But sometimes the innocents cannot chase away the dark thoughts that constantly haunt my mind and reaps the joys which are life. Speak out! Life is to short to be quite and sit by. Life is full agony but embrace it and talk through it. Talk helps xoxo live life to the fullest even though it seems bleak.

selfloveclubb of Instagram also posts: Tw: talk of suicidal tendencies. . “You don’t look suicidal”… I remember these words coming from the Dr’s mouth right after I’d just told him that I was having thoughts of suicide. I remember in that moment my 14 year old self felt invalidation, dumb and embarrassed; something no one in that mindset should have to feel. I left feeling confused, what was I supposed to look like? A bottle of pills in one hand and a suicide note in the other? Those words nearly cost me my life, that judgment, those stupid stupid words. . I remember the night just last year that I spiralled and overdosed in my living room. I remember thinking to myself “I can’t get help, I don’t look suicidal, I don’t fit the bill, they’ll laugh at me”. I remember thinking I must have looked the part, must have been wearing the suicidal costume properly when I woke up in Resus as all around me were concerned, worried and sad faces. By then this could have been too late, i might not have been there to see those sad faces if my partner hadn’t of saved my life. . This, this is the danger of thinking mental health has a ‘face’,a ‘look’. This is how stigma, ignorance and judgement towards mental health/suicide affects those who are poorly. . In both these photos i’m suicidal, perhaps not in the same way but on both of these days I had suicidal thoughts racing around. . Stop the judgment. Stop the stigma

alice_emma_louise of Instagram: In every one of these photos taken over the last few days I have been feeling unbelievably down, anxious, worthless, unlovable and helpless. Depression isn’t one face. I can be bubbly and happy and positive and still depressed. I can be crying uncontrollably in a cupboard for two hours and be depressed, I can be working and productive and depressed. Depression doesn’t go away because you have things to do or because you had a nice day. It doesn’t go away because you had a happy moment. It doesn’t go away because you have it better than that person, because you’re lucky to have wonderful people and things in your life. It doesn’t go away because you’re excited and the weather is nice. It doesn’t go away because you spent time with your friends. Depression can wax and wane, it can ebb and flow. But depression is with me every day. This week has been a black week for me – but every one of these photos was taken in the last few days. Depression can be masked so be kind to people. Not every illness is visible and who knows how that stranger, colleague or even close friend really feels? #depression #anxiety#mentalhealth #faceofdepression #butyoudontlooksick #invisibledisability

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