– Humphrey Onyeukwu
In recent times, our news headlines are buzzing with tales of depression, suicides and suicidal attempts. A strange culture, maybe?
We are left puzzled, bewildered, wondering how such creepiness crept on us. Certainly not in our character and even sometimes, the public puts aside empathy and chorus ‘tufiakwa, a lost soul!’.
A lost soul, indeed. Afterall, we are taught to mind our business even as the victims become a spectacle and objects of ridicule, scorn and dogmatic sermons.
Unfortunately, mental illness is real. The anxieties and depression are real, albeit not from a lost mind but from a hurt soul looking for healing, a shoulder, an ear or even a hug. I know this because I have been in those same shoes. I have stood on the Tay River bridge, staring down at my mirror image on the Tay River in faraway Dundee, Scotland and wondering how painless it would be if I make the jump.
Yes, I was lost inside but, on the outside, glamming for my mates. Rudderless. Sinking, drifting away, carrying my cross in lonesome spirit and shut out to the world.
Thankfully, I found my mojo in the blogosphere and poured out my heart with writing. With it came deja vu, healing, the peace that I had been searching for and with it, the pain was all gone.
It is real. Depression is real. The good thing is, it can be conquered. Some of us were lucky enough to find our mojo and this pulled us out of the darkness. Can others find their mojo as well? I strongly believe so.
I remember when I struggled with depression. I found inspiration in the piece that I wrote in my blog in June 2010, titled to Zion. It was a piece of me and my therapy! Writing my feelings then purged me and ushered me into a new dawn.
I share all this to say that we should take back our empathy. Be less swift to condemn victims. And if we are hurting, we must try and seek help. Don’t be afraid to take a break. To step out of the chaos and recharge. You can survive depression. You can live and thrive. I also know this because I fought, and I won!
