Overcoming Depression Is In Women's Power

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Published in Cape May County Herald. Data indicates women suffer from depression more than men. According to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institute of Health, one out of 10 women experiences frequent depressive symptoms and one out of every four women will experience clinical depression during their lifetime compared to only one out of every eight men respectively. Women's depression is increasing globally because their lives are being affected by poverty, poor health conditions, illiteracy and social inequality.

Gender inequality hasn’t been eliminated; therefore, this problem has paralyzed millions of women in many countries. Due to this illusion of inequality, women are often misguided and wrongly treated.

After my older sister's death due to breast cancer in 2016, I myself suffered from depression for over five months. It forced me to discontinue my daily activities. Due to my unstable mental state, it hampered my creativity. Slowly I started to change the way I looked at this situation but recovery was slow. Yes, I went through the stages involving hopelessness. Instead of taking medicine, I decided to eliminate my biggest fear with my will power, which I had from the beginning.

This included spending time with friends and family, meditating and praying to keep the mind cool and fresh, keeping busy and engaged in any kind of community work and also social activities. I never thought I could continue my writing or interests as it was impossible at that time but when I did I started to believe that it was not a difficult task. I was surrounded by positive energy that became a medicine to cure my depressive state.

A World Health Organization (WHO) report states, "Up to 20 percent of those attending primary health care in developing countries suffer from anxiety and/or depressive disorder." WHO has also initiated a rescue operation for this problem.

WHO's Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020’s overall goal is to promote mental well-being, prevent mental disorders, provide care, enhance recovery, promote human rights and reduce the mortality, morbidity and disability for persons with mental disorders.

There are many causes behind ups and downs in women’s lives. But women should not let depression and suffering ruin their existence and daily work. I encourage all women globally to defeat all types of suffering, either in the form of depression or loneliness and fight to eliminate it. I think the above-mentioned steps will help us overcome the obstacles of mental depression with medication and will also strengthen our mental and physical health every day.

From my own tragic experience, I’ve learned we must preserve strong hope and inspiration no matter where we live. We also should have obligations towards our work, parents, and friends. We should provide necessary help, respect and create awareness for people who are in need of it.

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