Faces of Depression Looks Like Me
Check out what a few members of our community have to say about their experience with depression.
I think it's important to acknowledge that being LGBTQ+ doesn't make us depressed, but there are social factors that can make our experiences navigating the world more challenging.
As a transgender man, I didn't realize how much I needed the love and beauty that comes with the queer community as I struggled with depression and the challenges of coming out. Finding people who understand me and my journey is the greatest gift, one that I hope to share with others.
My advice for others is to create a safety plan, which includes encouraging your therapist and the people you love to use community-based services like a peer support hotline where you can ask to speak with a BIPOC and LGBTQ+ counselor versus police intervention, whenever possible.
It's difficult for some to find their voice and advocate for their mental health, which is why it's so important that we disrupt the cycle of hiding who we are. We need to feel empowered to come forward and share our personal journeys, while still being our most authentic selves.
The best thing to do when you're stuck is just to talk to someone you trust. Once you open up and start talking to someone who is there for you no matter what and will be completely nonjudgmental and accepting of who you are, you'll see that you are not alone in your experience.
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a real illness and once that can be just as dangerous as cancer. It grows and grows and just get worse, embedding itself in every part of your life and your body. But it doesn't have to be that way forever. Fight for yourself, seek help, and talk to your doctor about treatment options.
I faced challenge after challenge growing up After being kicked out of my religion and home for being gay, I felt so broken - like I had lost everything worth living for. Family will always be a tough topic for me, but with support from a therapist and love from my wife, I realized that no matter how hard life seems, it will always get better. Now I want to help other LGBTQ+ people feel seen and less alone in their struggles with mental health.
Depression can make you feel like you aren't worthy and negative self-talk can become consuming. My hope is that everyone can grow to love and accept themselves as they are - I know I am working on that every day.
I've struggled with depression and my identity for many years. But once I embraced the true me - a transgender man - it felt like I found a new world. Now, I have far more sunshine than rainy days. We must remember to be there for one another - to listen and uplift those around us.
I've dealt with depression since I was a teenager. I've battled homelessness and lived through foster care. I still have my good days and my bad days, but now I'm sharing my story in an effort to help others see a path forward. At the end of the day, it is important to remember that we all love the same way and all deserve love ... no matter what our individual preferences may be.
I feel like there is a misconception that success and depression can't go together. People assume that if you're getting attention and love from others, you can't be depressed, but that was not my experience. At a time when I was experiencing success, I couldn't feel a thing.
People often would label me as "Other" because they didn't take the time to understand who I am. I knew who I was, but the stigma and discrimination I faced held me back. Once I chose to identity as the person of my dreams, a 2Spirit trans human - I discovered the power to help others become their authentic selves.
My depression and queer identity are a part of my life story. For a long time, I was fearful of opening up - I didn't feel like anyone could understand what I was going through, and I struggled for years through multiple treatments that didn't work. But I know now that there are others like me and options for people with hard-to-treat depression. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire and show others there is hope.
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DepressionLooksLikeMe.com
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