I(32M) spent a couple years in therapy due to depression and anxiety, got the help I needed (albeit at a much later date than I should have) and I'm fortunate to be here today to advocate for it.
I dealt with depression and anxiety for about 20 years. I've been off my meds for almost 2 years now and yes, I have times when the depression tries to creep back in, but I'm now better equipped to handle it and it passes. I am more educated now with mental illnesses and personality disorders because learning how trauma and personal experience can affect these things has helped me connect a lot of dots. If you find me in other subreddits I am always advocating for therapy when it applies.
I have parents who desperately need it, think there is nothing wrong with them despite the horror stories they have told me about their childhoods, and do not understand how your brain's chemistry can affect your mood.
Lately I've been seeing a lot of people in different subreddits saying the dumbest shit when it comes to mental health topics, and it is infuriating. I get that not everyone goes through depression, anxiety, or the plethora of other mental health conditions, or at least haven't learned to identify them within themselves. If you've never dealt with these feelings and are a happy-go-lucky adult, I'm happy for you, but if you are going to tell me that what I have experienced is "all in my head" or act like it was a choice to feel those things, get the fuck out of my face and shut the fuck up. It is that kind of mentality that has resulted in mental health having the stigma it does.
So many people need professional mental health and are not getting it, and you acting like the feelings people are going through don't exist is only going to make it worse.
I spent years driving over the Tacoma Narrows bridge for work, contemplating just driving off of it. People do not need the contrarian know-it-all bullshit. They need help and emotional support. If you can't give that, then have the decency to walk away without opening your mouth on things you clearly cannot comprehend.
Edit: forgot some words