Depression is an emotional darkness that can be deeply hidden within someone who may appear perfectly normal from the outside. It is not a weakness, nor a sign of mental imbalance or madness, but a complex psychological state that gradually erodes a person’s vitality. When someone struggling with adversity loses their inner hope, courage, and desire to live, they fall into the grip of depression. Tragically, in such moments, some people choose to end their lives—a decision we call suicide. But suicide is not just an irreparable loss of a life; it also brings deep grief to the family, society, and the nation.
Suicide is not a solution; it is a permanent extension of suffering, which could have been alleviated with a little understanding, a bit of conversation, some empathy, and time. The cure for depression is not suicide, but connection—a connection that makes the suffering person feel that they are not alone. They simply need the assurance that someone is there to listen, to understand, and to support them without judgment.
Today, as we look at different sections of society—whether students, working professionals, homemakers, businesspeople, journalists, artists, or farmers—news of suicides comes from everywhere. A major underlying cause is depression, which often grows silently within. What is most important in such situations is to accept that depression is neither a stigma nor is its treatment difficult. Just as we seek medical help for physical illnesses, we should also see a mental health professional for psychological challenges—it should be normalised.
A person suffering from depression is often silent. They cannot articulate their pain. Out of fear, shame, or the worry of “what will people say,” they hide their feelings. This is where the role of family, friends, teachers, and society becomes crucial. If someone’s behaviour suddenly changes—such as becoming sad, withdrawn, irritable, or self-critical—we must become alert. Instead of criticising or preaching, we should start a conversation and say: “I’m here for you; you’re not alone.”
A person facing depression doesn’t need advice—they need genuine empathy. They need a hand to hold their trembling fingers, a shoulder to cry on, and a heart that listens without interruption. Empathy doesn’t just mean expressing sympathy—it means showing that their pain is our pain too. This feeling can break the wall of despair that depression builds within.
It is also essential to understand that recovery from depression takes time. It’s not magic where everything heals instantly with a pill. Sometimes, it takes months or even years. But full recovery is possible—if we remain patient, keep hope alive, and do not abandon each other. Even the darkest night leads to dawn. What seems unbearable today might become life’s greatest lesson tomorrow.
More important than the depth of the problem is the way out. And that way is through dialogue, empathy, and time—three powerful tools that can prevent someone from breaking down. The burdens troubling the mind today will gradually lighten with time, provided the person continues to endure and make an effort to heal.
Ultimately, it must be said that suicide is not an act of bravery—it is the end of an unfinished attempt. Life may be difficult, but it is never impossible. If we become a little more sensitive to each other and cultivate the patience to listen and understand, many lives can be saved.
Don’t stay silent—speak up. Don’t feel ashamed—seek help. Show empathy—don’t preach. Because life, in every circumstance, is a better choice than death. Start a conversation—because sometimes, words do what medicine cannot. That’s the message of life: Keep going, because every night is followed by a new morning.
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