This particular blog has taken me a while to write. There seemed to be something always blocking me from writing it, as well as, not really knowing how to write this particular blog. For starters I am not a trained psychological professional. Yes I have had classes in the past and I encourage anyone that reads this blog and is struggling with what I am about to discuss is to reach out to a trained professional. Always remember there is hope!

Robin Williams stated “I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that.” Tragically, we lost Robin to this what I call the silent killer depression. A well respected pastor committed suicide over depression as well. The list can go on and on. WE ALL HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY DEPRESSION.

Hope for Depression (Hope for Depression, 2019) stated that depression is the most prevalent mental-illness, or as they prefer to say mind-brain illness, in the United States at a staggering 99% of all diagnosed. This includes PTSD, postpartum depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and suicide (Hope for Depression, 2019). Depression is such an epidemic that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and many other international bodies closely watch and try to find solutions for the growing problem.

The CDC stated that the 50% of all Americans will have been diagnosed with a mental health issue at some point in their lives (CDC, 2018). The CDC further found that depression is the third most common cause of hospitalization in the United States and that those that suffer from severe mental health issues shortens their life span by 25 years (CDC, 2018). Staggering if you ask me. However, I am not done with the data just yet.

Hope for Depression compiled data from several sources for the this next round of data I am going to share. HFD quoted R.C. Kesslers data from 2005 that over 18 million adults in the United States or one in ten face depression at anytime in a given year (HFD, 2019). Depression is the leading cause of disability for ages 15-44, and is the primary reason someone dies from suicide roughly every 12 minutes (HFD, 2019)! According to the CDC that equates to 41,000 lives lost due to depression just in the United States which is more than homicides in 2013 with an estimated 13,000 lives lost due to homicide (HFD, 2019).

Worldwide the epidemic affects over 300 million people according to the WHO (HFD, 2019). WHO stated that depression is one of the most debilitating condition in the world and is in the same category of terminal cancer (as stated in HFD, 2019). Furthermore, the WHO stated that epidemic of depression “is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease” (HFD, 2019). Depression knows now prejudice, it affects all genders, ages, nationalities, sexualities, and income levels around that globe.

Sobering statistics if you ask me. Statistics stated by Merikangas and Greenberg in HFD (2019) the economic impact on businesses in the United States is estimated to be over $100 billion (USD) a year. Depression accounts for 490 million disability days a year and a lost of $23 billion (USD) in lost workdays a year (HFD, 2019).

Okay, now that I think I have got your attention. You maybe sitting here wondering how does all this relate to Path of Hope as the title suggests of this topic. How does this impact leadership capabilities? And I am sure there is a plethora of other questions you all may have. Well first and foremost, as the human species we must fight against the ridiculous taboo of discussing mental health. We have all seen the outcomes of what can happen play out on the news and breaking news cycles. We are not comfortable to speak about it even though as the WHO stated depression is listed in the same category as terminal cancer. Suicide according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, 2019) is one of the leading causes of death in the United States (NIMH, 2019). NIMH (2019) stated according to the CDC 47,000 lives were lost due to suicide in 2017. BeFrienders Worldwide a volunteer action to prevent suicide stated that the data that is given may be higher than what is reported due to the stigma of suicide and mental health issues (2018). BeFrienders stated WHO statistics that 16 people per 100,000 will commit suicide a year which equates to 1 every 40 seconds; however, by 2020 it is predicted that this rate will increase to 1 every 20 seconds (BeFrienders, 2018). Suicide is the 11th cause of death in the United States and the rate is increasing amongst adolescents and the elderly (BeFrienders, 2018).

All this to say we need to drop the taboo of talking about mental health. It impacts every aspect of life and knows no boundary. Though rates drop in those in higher incomes and a difference between men and women, it still needs to be discussed. So much can trigger depression. A traumatic episode, financial concerns, giving birth, abuse, sexual assault, lost of a loved one, loss of hope, loneliness, despair, anxiety, medical issues, our age taking a toll on our bodies, loss of job, and the list goes on. We are compassionate people and if we can come together as one voice and help prevent people from taking their lives then it is a good day. There is much work that does need to be done; however, as I stated in prior posts we most create a ripple effect. Many of us do not have a megaphone that can cause major ripples; however, we do have an impact on those in our direct circle. Be open with others. If you sense that something is wrong ask. Don’t pressure but ask. Encourage those that are suffering. Be there is they need to talk. Let them know you love them. Bring back hope of decent human beings. Love yourself and love people. I personally go by the stance Love God, Love People and I do my best to live that throughout my life.

We have all had days that we have felt like hope was lost. That the darkness of life comes crashing in and you don’t know what to do or what tomorrow will look like, heck you may not even know what today will look like. But remember, you have had a day like this before and the morning still came, you are still breathing, you have conquered issues in the past and you can and will do it again. The key is taking the right steps forward. One step at a time. No one has conquered anything in one day. Be patient with yourself. Learn to love yourself in a healthy way. Seek help from the many trained professionals out there. Reach out to the nonprofits that are there to help free of charge.

To those right now that are struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. First and foremost, reach out to someone you trust. Pick up the phone and call them or text them. Just let them know you need help. To the person on the other side. This is not a time to give opinions or solutions let them talk and let them know you are there and that you care. If they ask come over if at all possible. If they ask go with them to a session and wait patiently as they begin their road to healing. We are all on a path. It may seem that the Path of One is an individual journey; however, the beauty in the English language, one is not a lonely number is can mean so many different things and a unit, or team, are part of being a Path of One.

As I wrap this post up. I want to encourage each one of you that read this. You are precious. You have a purpose. There is a hope for a brighter tomorrow even if it does not look like there is today. Life is difficult and none of us got a road map and we make the best of it everyday. Be true to yourself and don’t listen to the nay sayers. Those people need to be cut out of our lives. I pray that each person that reads this post and all my posts will feel love, acceptance, hope, peace, joy, and happiness. I believe that our today and tomorrow will be greater than what we are seeing today. You all are here to make an impact! Never forget that! And if no one has told you today you are beautiful, you are handsome, you are smart, you are wise, you are passionate, you are amazing!

One last quote from Robin Williams, “If you’re that depressed, reach out to someone. And remember, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.”

Be Bold! Be Courageous! Be Fearless!

Joel

If you are contemplating suicide please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Also if you have healthcare coverage a majority of providers and organizations have mental health as part of your benefits. Reach out to your provider and they can connect you to a licensed professional. Speak with your benefits coordinator at your job to see if it is covered.

BeFrienders Worldwide (2018). Suicide Statistics. www.befrienders.org

Centers for Disease and Prevention Control (2018). Mental Health. www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/data_publications

Hope for Depression (2019). Depression Facts. www.hopefordepression.org/depression-facts

National Institute of Mental Health (2019). Suicide. www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide.shtml