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I Had a Black Dog, His Name was Depression
Created By The World Health Organization
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In collaboration with World Health Organization to mark World Mental Health Day, writer and illustrator Matthew Johnstone tells the story of overcoming the "black dog of depression".
At its worst, depression can be a frightening, debilitating condition. Millions of people around the world live with depression, which is symbolized as a black dog in this video. Many of these individuals, including their families, are afraid to talk about their struggles and don't know where to turn for help.
Believe it or not, depression is largely preventable and treatable. Recognizing depression and seeking help is the first and most critical step towards recovery.
Matt learned a couple important things that helped the battle with his black dog (depression). While medication may help some, others may need a different approach altogether. He also learned that being emotionally genuine and authentic to those who are close to you can be an absolute game changer.
Matt noticed that the more tired and stressed you are, the louder the black dog barks so it’s important to quiet your mind. It’s also been clinically proven that regular exercise can be as effective treating mild to moderate depression as antidepressants.
Getting your thoughts written down can be cathartic and insightful as well. Novni is a great resource for you to keep a mood journal and also a place to list what you’re grateful for. Novni is completely anonymous and allows you to also read other people’s posts who might be going through similar experiences.
If you’re having a hard time with depression, never be afraid to ask for help. No matter how bad it gets, if you take the right steps and talk to the right people, black dog days can and will pass.