Mental illnesses are real. The reality of mental illness is that it can control one’s life. This type of illness changes perception, personality, mood, thinking, reasoning and behavior. Around 450 million people currently suffer from mental disorders, placing this illness amid the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide, and the truth is that one in four people will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives, according to the World Health Organization. It is complicated to understand mental illnesses for some people, and I don’t expect them to comprehend how mental illnesses affect people’s lives, but my goal is to make people realize that there is no reason to fear, reject, or avoid people they perceive as being “different” or “weird”.

Depression is a common mental illness in the United States. According to the World Health Organization, three-hundred million people around the world have depression. Untreated depression can lead to self-harm and increases the risks of suicide. The World Health Organisation estimates that each year approximately one million people die from suicide, which represents a global mortality rate of 16 people per 100,000 or one death every 40 seconds.

I decided to make depression my theme because I myself was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder. Growing up I was constantly being bullied because I was “different”, and I hated myself, because, in my six-year-old mind I was convinced that I deserved all the insults and bruises. Nobody deserves to be treated less than anybody, especially if one can't control one’s thoughts and/or behavior. When I started therapy and was prescribed medication for my condition, I started to use my feelings to my benefit. My pictures contain real emotions and real-life issues. This photo was taken outside the apartment where I live. Sharing our experiences and celebrating our differences could ""transform"" perspectives, and make people realize that mental illness should not be a taboo subject. I’m not saying that the world can magically change overnight, but what I’m trying to say is that if we, as a society, get ""involved"", ""contribute"" to make this place more accepting and understanding for people with mental illnesses, and recognize the reality of it, future generations would not perceive depression, or any other illness, as “weird”.

I truly believe that it would be good for our community to try opening our minds and to comprehend what people with mental illnesses have to go through. Also, it would be beneficial to everybody because it would help create better friendships, and society would be more inclusive. Together we can participate to make a difference.

Resources: https://www.who.int/whr/2001/media_centre/press_release/en/https://www.verywellmind.com/depression-statistics-everyone-should-know-4159056