by Maxine Prickett and Alyssa Lawson

The doorway becomes open. The dark winding pathway to depression is in sight. A pathway no person should have to walk no matter how young or old.

An estimated 280 million people in the world suffer from the mental illness depression. In people under the age of 50 the leading cause of death is suicide. Five percent of people self-harm by cutting themselves. Eighty-one percent of people from the ages 15-24  who have vaped say they started to decrease their stress, anxiety, or depression. 

Most depression starts in late fall to early winter. The main major leading cause of depression is stressful life events. In the United States depression peaks at the age of 40 for women and 50 for men. The depression rate of people in Indiana is 32.9%. 

It’s safe to say depression is a very serious and dangerous illness.

More than an estimated of 30 million people have thought about committing suicide, almost four million people have made a plan to commit suicide, and nearly two million people have committed suicide. Depression can be a very serious illness that can lead to suicide. 

Suicidal thoughts in teens can turn deadly. Too many families have lost their children due to their battle with depression. It’s truly a tragic tale repeated time and time again a tale that doesn’t end with a happy ever after.

There are many ways to get help if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or actions. Texting or calling 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or going to their website at 988lifeline.org is one. Another would be texting BRAVE to 741741 and a trained crisis counselor will help. 

Suicide leaves many beaten and bruised. Not just those who have tried but those who knew the ones who have or did successfully attempt. It leaves families and friends crushed, a forever scar on the inside, the scars people don’t and won’t see unless they’re shown. Sometimes showing people these scars creates new ones, but we have to learn to live with our past rather than let it haunt and taunt us. We will not and cannot stop until we have shown these people with these scars still cutting deep that they will be okay.

Lights can be turned back on,  just let them. Don’t be fooled by this darkness. That walkway ends, and that door will be shut.