Ever heard of someone saying, “You are enough?” What does being enough mean? Being enough is broad and deep, but one of the things being enough speaks to is the fact that you have a purpose, you are living for a reason and your life adds value to those around you. Being enough speaks to the fact that you have value. While your value cannot be measured by materialistic things, you must know that even though you are not a diamond or currency, your human life is expensive and costly.

You are not an ordinary being: a lot of planning took place for your existence. No matter what things look like, or who told you what, or what you may believe about yourself, know that you are not a mistake or an accident. Issues such as depression and suicide happen because people feel that they are not enough and feel all kinds of unworthiness towards life.

What is Depression?

Depression is so common these days. Almost everyone at some point in their lives goes through depression. Depression comes in different forms and phases; a person could go through mild or severe depression. Chronic depression is one of the most common forms of depression because the only way to manage it is through psychotherapy and medication.

Depression should not be taken lightly because from personal observations, depression breeds and leads to suicide. It has a tendency to lead people to self-destructive behavior. There are many examples of self-destructive behavior: some of them are a person resorting to drugs and alcohol or engaging in risky sexual behavior. Depression is a product of the fact that our world is lonely. We often feel lonely even though we are in a crowd.

Depression is the product of the fact that we are failing to co-exist; we are failing the values of Ubuntu. Our world is becoming selfish; it’s every man for himself. It’s rare nowadays to find people who extend care to the next person or show concern to the people around them. Another fact is that we are faking our way through life, and sometimes we pretend as if things are fine while they are not. Sometimes we don’t hear ourselves screaming for help inside. One thing I want to say is that it’s not a weakness to cry for help. Sometimes it may feel like your plea for help is falling on the wrong ears, but one of the things you must do is to always seek out help, especially when everything feels too much.

One other thing that is important is to value is self-care practices. Go out and walk through the waves sometimes, listen to a song, go to a garden, take a break, go on holiday: value your me-time. Don’t bottle things up. If you don’t appreciate something express it. Don’t postpone the need to keep yourself well.

Another issue that affects the sense of being enough is suicide….

What is suicide?

Suicide is commonly known as ending your life entirely. There are various ways that people end their lives. People commit suicide by cutting their wrists, hanging themselves, throwing themselves off of a moving train or vehicle, and/or overdosing on medication, whether it’s prescribed or unprescribed. One of the primary causes of suicide is when you don’t see an end to your problems. Suicide is a product of suffering in silence and a belief that no one cares, which is not entirely true.

How to deal with depression and suicidal thoughts?

It is said that, “Divided we fall and together we stand.” In Sesotho they say, “Kopano Ke Matla.”

In combating suicide and depression, our society needs to be unified. It is never preached that it is important to notice early signs of someone going through depression and contemplating suicide, but it should be.

I am a young person who was diagnosed with Bipolar Mood Disorder in 2014. This condition manifested itself in different ways, and one of them was depression, which lead to the contemplation of suicide. I was depressed in my second year and did not find a reason to live. Fortunately, my father intervened in time and saved my life. But not everyone is as lucky as I was. Some lose their lives forever, unfortunately.

It’s important we learn to co-exist and offer support to one another in time of need. Our communities and homes should be houses of refuge, and someone must not feel helpless. Let us not watch one of us suffer in silence. We must educate one another in the belief that our world is a better place with each of us in it. To those who are affected by depression and suicide, know that your story is not over yet.

Tell us: How would you help someone who is dealing with depression?