Depression impacts people in different ways, and is a real illness that’s often hard to fully treat.
To present only one solution to such a complex illness is irresponsible, according to writer and public speaker Jenni Chiu.
She recently took to Facebook to pen a now-viral post about a harmful meme.
The meme shows a picture in the forest, saying “This is an antidepressant.”
Below, a picture shows a pill, saying “This is [expletive].”
“Depression and anxiety are mental ILLNESSES. Not all illness can be cured with fresh air and sunshine. Sometimes chemical imbalances in the brain need to be supplemented. It may not be the answer for everybody, but it is definitely a life saver for some,” she wrote.
“Are meds overprescribed? Possibly. Can simple lifestyle changes improve our mental and physical health? Certainly. Should a drug that could keep someone from wanting to die be described as ‘[expletive]’? Never. If you manage your mental illness by taking medication, I AM PROUD OF YOU. If you are considering talking to your doctor about medication, I AM PROUD OF YOU. If you are able to manage a mood disorder naturally, I AM PROUD OF YOU. If you are considering talking to your doctor about weaning off of or changing medications, I AM PROUD OF YOU.”
Chiu also posted an altered meme, keeping the top picture and text and bottom picture but changing the text there.
“There is NO SHAME in getting help,” it says. “This is an antidepressant, too.”
