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#FaceofDepression: Internet users share their stories

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PHOTO: Instagram/ sherlyn_fitness
PHOTO: Instagram/ sherlyn_fitness

The World Health Organisation observes Mental Health Day on 10 October and the movement aims to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilise efforts in support of mental health.

Last month Americans observed National Suicide Awareness Month, during which social media was flooded by empowering survival stories from those who’ve suffered from depression and had suicidal tendencies, with users using the hashtag #faceofdepression.

The idea of the campaign was to break the stereotype of what a depressed person – or someone with suicidal thoughts – looks like. The #faceofdepression campaign tried to emphasise that people struggling with mental health issues often hide it in their everyday lives and look like just about any other person you'd pass on the street. The posts shared encourage social media users not to simply take everything at face value.

One of the most touching contributions to the campaign was a post recently shared by Talinda Bentley, widow of Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington, showing him laughing and smiling just 36 hours before his tragic suicide.




Extra sources: capementalhealth.co.za, boredpanda.com, who.int, royalfoundation.com

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