Depression is a well-studied condition that has tested and effective therapeutic modalities   October is Depression Awareness Month. Major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 16 million American adults each year. If you are feeling suicidal, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800/273-8255, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.  

    By Jason Duaine Hahn•@jasonduaine Posted on July 13, 2017 at 6:39pm EDT When Madalyn Parker, a web developer at Olark Live Chat, decided she was taking two days off for her mental health, she didn’t keep it under wraps. In fact, she announced it to her co-workers in an email. “Hey team, I’m taking today and tomorrow to focus on my mental health,” the email read. “Hopefully I’ll be back next week refreshed and back to 100%.”  That’s when Olark CEO Ben Congleton responded to her, in an exchange that Parker posted to Twitter.  

Broaching the topic of mental health with a friend or loved one can be intimidating and difficult to navigate.  Though society has come a long way when it comes to speaking more openly about mental illness, for many a stigma still exists, as does fear in admitting when help is needed.