Suffering in the dark

Youth often experience depression after leaving home for the first time, and encountering the emotional challenges of making their own way in life. But what if, when you come back to your home town, you find a scary place where it feels safer to hide your feelings, where depression is stigmatized and medical treatment for mental health is hard to come by? “One doctor even went as far as sending me a link to a site that discussed antidepressant abuse in America. I was confused and began to wonder if I was wrong for asking for help. I ceased my attempts at getting the proper treatment and resorted to alcohol… So before you tell someone with mental health issues to grow up or insult them by saying they have no willpower, think carefully.” Johnny Olaguez gives his powerful commentary on South Kern Sol.