Unfortunately there isn't just an 'On' & 'Off' switch!

If you were asked to draw someone who was depressed, how would you do it? Let me guess, your depressed little character would have their shoulders slumped, their eyes looking at their toes, and a very prominent upside down U for a mouth. Well believe it or not, depression is hard to spot among most of us. It's usually the happiest of people that are suffering with depression. People wack on a smile every day, hold their head up high, and try to kid the world (and themselves) that they're okay.

The reason why I'm writing this is for us as a generation, to support those who are suffering from a mental illness, (Not just depression). I see far too many posts on social networking sights about peoples unhappiness, and I'm not okay with it. Yes some of it may be down to a bad relationship, or a shitty job, but people who make jokes about 'committing suicide' or 'harming themselves' shouldn't go unnoticed. It isn't funny. It's a cry for help.

Having a mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of!

 (It's very important you understand this!)

I personally suffer from anxiety infused depression. What does this mean? It means that I  worry about absolutely everything, and anything, to the point where it makes me depressed, sometimes ill. You may think that's a little over board, but it's true. That simple little comment that you made last week "as a joke" I'm still thinking about it. The reason I didn't attend that party wasn't because I wasn't 'feeling well' or 'was busy' it's because I was worrying about every minor factor until I told myself I physically couldn't go. Some people may be reading this and be thinking "how stupid" and that's exactly how I feel too. If I could change my way of thinking, I would. But negative attitudes towards mental illnesses needs to change. Mental illness is just as important as a physical illness and just because you don't understand something, doesn't mean you shouldn't try to.

Don't sit back and let people suffer in silence. If you suffer with mental illness yourself, or know anyone who does, spreading a little positivity in their direction can help. Stunning actress Angelina Jolie openly talks about her relationship with depression time and time again, saying how she was 'miserable' and 'didn't know her place in this world' and how if it wasn't for her husband Brad Pitt, she wouldn't be with us today

Quote from Brad Pitt

"My wife got sick. She was constantly nervous because of problems at work, personal life, her failures and problems with children. She had lost about 30 pounds and weighed about 90 pounds in her 35 years. She got very skinny and was constantly crying. She wasn't very happy. She had suffered from continuing headaches, heart pain, jammed nerves in her back and ribs. She did not sleep well, falling asleep only in the morning and got tired very quickly during the day. Our relationship was on the verge of a break up. Her beauty was leaving her somewhere, she had bags under her eyes and had stopped taking care of herself. She refused to shoot films and rejected any role. I lost hope, and thought we'll get a divorce soon. 

But then i decided to act on it. After all I've got the most beautiful woman on earth. She is the idol of more than half off men and women on earth, and i was the one allowed to fall asleep next to her and hug her shoulders. I began to pamper her with flowers, kisses and compliments. I surprised her and pleased her every minute. I gave her lots of gifts just for her. I spoke in public only about her. I praised her in front of her own and our mutual friends. You wont believe it, but she blossomed. She became better than before. She gained weight, was no longer nervous all the time and loved me more than ever.

And then I realised one thing: The woman is the reflection of her man."

Inspiring right? Simply asking how people are, being positive, little gestures, will help those who suffer by not making them feel like outsiders. Making them feel included, and not feeling like just a 'waste of space'. It's incredibly hard for me to open up about my mental illness, however I want people to know that they're not alone. If you ever need someone to talk to, as a friend, or just for someone to listen to your problems (No matter how stupid you may feel they are)- I'm here.