A FELLOW SUFFERER
Dear Martine,
BRAVO and thank you. Bravo for your courage to speak out openly about your emotional and mental health journey. I can only imagine the will you must have held on to write this paper, for as a fellow sufferer, I would never have been able to do it as sincerely and eloquently as you have. By coming out on tuesday, you have advanced the conversation about mental health and the importance of recognising depression, by a huge leap.
Thank you for openly speaking out, for by doing so, you have demonstrated an outstanding courage, which shows that people suffering from depression should not be ashamed to talk about it. I have suffered from depression for far long before I could even put a name on it. And when I did, it was the first step into a painful and emotional journey. As much as the personal journey was tough, the “fiery darts, pointing fingers” that you describe were perhaps an equally tough aspect to deal with.
And yes, I can totally relate to your take on posting sugar-coated messages about depression on social media, in an era where quick fixes are the norm, when we know that, with this condition, we are in for the long haul. I join you in asking people to be willing to “truly and deeply KNOW about depression” before engaging into “judgemental and critical attitudes”. I hope that this appeal is heard.
Lastly, I hope that people suffering from depression as well as those close to them, learn to identify the condition, the triggers, and learn to let go of the stigma attached to it, as you have courageously embodied.
In support and encouragement.
Martine Moutou’s article: https://www.lemauricien.com/article/my-flirtatious-relationship-with-depression/