There's a reason my blog looks like a splinterlands blog right now! No, I'm not turning into a full-time gaming blogger, no. It's just that I've been dealing with some really difficult times in my personal life and I wanted to keep away from serious topics for a while. i needed a get-away from the pressure, the depression and splinterlands has been a good exit from my in-life crisis. And hence so many splinterlands posts. With HIVE pumping the way it is, I doubt there are many people out there who'll be interested to listen to me rant on about depression, but I feel this is important for me to document what I'm going through in my life, to maybe re-visit and take some lessons when times are better. Whether you like it or not, depression hits almost every single one of us at some point in life, it just does. There's this common saying you've all heard - > No one dies virgin. In the end Life screws us all. Depression does too, just harder! There's no heroism in denying depression. In fact it actually takes a lot of courage to admit depression has hit you and it's necessary that you gather the courage to admit it because if you don't, you'll never stand up against it. You'll never gather the strength to fight it. It's a similar situation to bullying. If you never gather the courage to stand up to bullying, you'll keep getting bullied. If you never gather the courage to take a stand against depression, you'll re-circle back into it. trust me, I know! I've made these mistakes for a long time, too long. I never asked for help, I never admitted to being depressed. I tried handling it all on my own and as a doctor I did know better. I just wasn't brave enough to admit. I wasn't brave enough to ask for help. Asking for help is not cowardice, it is the bravery you need to protect yourself _and_ those around you from the burden of your depression. So yes, while as a doctor I can make you aware that you should seek help, I completely understand the reluctance, the hesitation. It's not just about being aware that you need help. I was fully aware I needed help, I just didn't have the courage to ask for it. So while I am telling you, whoever is taking the time to read this post, just being aware that you need help isn't enough. Gather up the courage to ask for it. Confide in someone you really trust, open up to some one who you know will give you advice. It doesn't always have to be your closest one you go for help. If you're comfortable, then it's absolutely fantastic. But sometimes it's easier to open up to someone who isn't too attached, but you know to be a good man/woman and will give you honest and solid support/advice. Sometimes all you need is just someone to talk to, sometimes it's not even necessary that they have to give you advice. Just you speaking your heart _(mind)_ out can go a long way. But you need that someone to talk to. It's not wise to try and deal with mental health issues alone, you'll almost always lose the battle as the lone warrior. And despite everything you've tried, if you still can not open up to someone, you still don't have that someone you can speak your mind out, just write. Write what you're feeling, write what you _think_ you should have done differently so that you can try to avoid the same mistake next time. Write a diary, a journal... ....or maybe on your blog. https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://c.pxhere.com/images/18/68/319fad2292242725736d58cf7966-1584659.jpg!d @raymondspeaks has started posting videos on Mental health issues on HIVE now! Do check him out, he does some wonderful stuff! You can also find some more of his videos on his [Youtube Channel.](https://www.youtube.com/user/EdgeofSuffolk/videos) [Image Source](https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1584659) Until Next Time! Stay Safe, Stay mentally healthy!