Like Riding a Bicycle
Yasharah Raza
Albert Einstein once said, “Life is like riding a bicycle, in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.” Sometimes the stigma that surrounds depression can make an individual retreat within themselves and stop them from going out to seek the help that they need. When those who suffer from depression fear society’s perception of them, they may be too embarrassed to reach out, halting their road to recovering from this ailment. This standstill can make it very difficult to maintain a healthy balance in one’s life. As a society, we should be more open and accepting of all kinds of ailments, as the best medicine sometimes can come from a helping hand, an attentive ear, and a caring heart.
Mariya Guryeva, a human rights activist and a former victim of depression herself, provides insight to the stigma surrounding depression, and some words of advice to those suffering from depression in the following video:
Mariya Guryeva speaks about the stigma against depression in the USA.
As Mariya says, depression does not have to define a person. Society’s labels are not the be-all and end-all when it comes to people. Depression may be a part of some human experiences, but together, with the right support, anyone can get through it, and in the end, this struggle will lead to insurmountable growth. Depression is not a weakness; if allowed to do so, this obstacle can become an immense strength.
To those who may be suffering from depression: don’t let a stigma cause your life to come to a standstill. Your life has so much potential. Be confident and seek the help you need. Find your motivation and always remember: you must always keep moving.