I've read poetry that paints depression into a beautiful metaphor, and I've heard people demand those poems stop romanticizing depression.

I've written poetry, carving my depression into words that are far too beautiful, but when my heart is riddled with such dark intrusive sadness; can you blame me for trying to manufacture light? I've seen so many posts titled with the words, "The Truth Behind Depression". The truth behind depression does not exist. There's nothing behind depression because depression doesn't leave anything behind in its wake. Depression is a mental illness that affects everyone differently.

Since when did mental illness become a competition? For someone to tell you not to talk about your sadness, just because there are a handful people who think they can wear depression like a new shirt, is unacceptable. I know that there are people who label themselves as depressed in order to fall into a stereotype that they have built up in their head. This is disheartening to the people who truly suffer from this ailment. It’s frustrating to know that there are people who label themselves with an illness you never asked for, but it happens.

There’s nothing you can do about it because at the end of the day, you can’t tell someone they don’t have depression. You can’t tell someone they aren’t really depressed because doesn’t that feel a lot like the people in your life that tell you, “Oh, you’re just having a bad day. You should just be happy.” Instead, I implore you to be kind. To ask them about their sadness and tell them that their feelings are valid. Give to them the support you wish was given to you. This is just one way we can fight against the stigma against mental health.

At the end of the day, if that person was only using depression as a way to get attention, I still implore you to be kind. There’s nothing wrong with wanting attention. If they were that desperate for someone to acknowledge them, there’s nothing wrong with that. Be a better person than the people who have downplayed your own depression. Stop telling people not to talk about their depression in beautiful ways.

Depression might not beautiful, but the people that live with it are extraordinarily beautiful. If they want to turn their pain into a metaphor, let them. Don’t try and tell them how to deal with their depression.

Please, I beg of you, be kind.