I recently read about a very successful local businessman and community leader who committed suicide. The article stated he "suffered from depression." How could someone who apparently had everything going for him feel that suicide was the only answer?

I have heard similar questions many times. What I haven’t heard is: "He was so successful. Why did he get cancer?" Or heart disease or diabetes. The fact is that depression cuts across all walks of life. Many think the only people with mental illness are people who are homeless, drug users, poor, uneducated or weak in character. Mental illness has no respect for race, income, gender or religion. Anyone can become mentally ill at any time.

Those of us who have not experienced severe depression have a difficult time understanding how intense, overwhelming and debilitating the illness can be. This is especially true when someone appears "to have it all." Persons who have severe depression often report "feeling like I’ve fallen into the deepest black hole and there is no escape" or " that life has no purpose." It’s important to understand that the chemical imbalance that creates depression and its symptoms can occur regardless of the outwardly positive aspects of a person’s life.

Some people get treatment and follow the doctor’s instructions and exhibit very few signs of the illness. You might not even know that your neighbor, minister, relative, co-worker or friend is diagnosed with some type of mental illness or psychological disorder if they are sticking with their prescribed treatment. If a person has cancer or diabetes, he/she wouldn’t hesitate getting treatment or taking insulin. However, mental illness is different. The stigma attached to having a mental illness causes people to avoid asking for treatment and following instructions if they get it. The more we break the stigma attached to mental illness, the easier it will be for people to seek treatment. I do not know if the person you refer to in your question received mental health services or not. However, we do know the following.

• Each year, 17 to 20 million people experience some form of depression
• Some forms of depression result from situational experiences; some forms result from a biological, chemical imbalance in the body
• Women report symptoms of depression two times more frequently than men
• 80% of depressed persons who seek treatment see improved mental health within several months
• Treatment can include medication (short or long-term), psychotherapy (counseling), or a combination of both

Everyone needs to know signs of possible depression:

• Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings
• Changes in normal sleeping or eating patterns
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Irritability, restlessness
• Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Many myths are associated with mental illness; many are fostered by sensationalized news reports and other popular media. Call the Mental Health Association at 314-773-1399 if you would like a pamphlet on Myths About Mental Illness or brochures on Depression.

James E. House
Executive Director
Mental Health Association of Greater St. Louis

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