Why do people experience depression? This question has been bothering me for a long time.

Depression or any mental health problems should not be taken lightly and we should start
spreading awareness about these. People take their own lives due to depression. People who die
due to suicide is still rising and cases of depression is increasing as I talk in front of you. For my
speech I will be providing three steps or ways to prevent more casualties from depression or any
mental health problems.

For the first step, always check on your friends or relatives. Some may say that it sounds cheesy
to check up on them from time to time, but we never know on what someone is going through, and
they may secretly need someone to talk to or just comfort them. A little gesture of showing care
can give someone’s life a big difference. It never hurts to spare a little time for someone you truly
cherish. So message or talk to your friends, ask them how’s their day, ask them on what’s wrong,
ask them if they already ate. Your questions may make someone’s day.

Second step to possibly prevent loss due to suicide is never make sensitive jokes about it. Jokes
may be for fun but there are jokes that are offensive and may leave a bad mark on someone. People
nowadays make jokes that gives people negative thoughts and it is not good. We can make jokes
but we should know our limitations. We should not make bad jokes especially on mental health.
As what I have stated, mental health will never be a joke.

The last step that I will be providing is always take care of yourself. Drink water, stop stressing
yourself over small things, make time for yourself, avoid toxic relationships or friendships, eat
healthy, consult friends for problems you cannot solve on your own, never forget to pray and love
yourself. Self-care is crucial for everyone and we should always manage ourselves properly. Self-
love will give you happiness and will get rid of your sad thoughts.

People experience depression because their surroundings are giving them pressure or negative
thoughts. We can give hope to people who are in need of help by our small deeds of appreciation.
We can make the future a better place if we take this subject seriously and properly. We can achieve
a better environment if we apply these steps wholeheartedly. I hope that this will leave a mark on
your minds and start doing these. Are we ready to take depression seriously?