Ask for Mental Health Assistance

Gain perspective. When thinking about the role depression plays in someone else’s life or in your own life, here are some statements to share/take to heart:
- Depression is something you have. It does not define you.
- You are much more than your diagnosis. Your personality, talents, skills, and compassion are your defining traits—not your depression.
- Like diabetes or cancer, depression is a physical illness that needs to be carefully treated. Just as a diabetic should take daily steps to monitor and control blood sugar levels, you should take action to monitor and control your symptoms of depression.
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Share positive messages about mental health. Use social media or another approach to openly discuss mental health, to show your support for others who do so, and to share validated information about mental illness and treatment.

Educate yourself and others about mental health. Education can reduce stigma and improve the environment surrounding mental illness. Education is the most powerful tool you can use to counter any shame you may feel about your mental illness and to make sure others know what mental illness is (and isn’t).

Be conscious of your language. Words matter. Avoid using hurtful words and labels such as “nuts,” “crazy,” or “strange” when talking about yourself or someone else with a mental illness. Use respectful language when talking about mental health. Instead of “the mentally ill,” use “people with a mental illness,” and instead of “committed suicide,” use “died by suicide.” Let someone know if you hear them using harmful language.

Recognize someone’s identity outside of their illness. Viewing someone as their diagnosis reduces the complexity of their experience; their diagnosis is not the defining factor of their identity.