Don't suffer from your depression in silence

When I made the decision to be a mental health activist and launch a nonprofit, I was nervous about putting my story out into the world. I had a thousand excuses for why I shouldn't do it ... I wasn't a trained mental health expert; I'd be opening myself up to critics; What if I failed? After reading Daring Greatly, I decided to ignore all of the negative mental chatter and pursue my dreams anyway. Brown convinced me that achieving anything meaningful in life would require me to accept my own vulnerabilities, imperfections and inevitable failures. It's only by moving through (not around!) the discomfort of uncertainty, that I'll be able to build more resilience and ultimately more self-love and compassion. Her TED Talk on vulnerability is a must-see!

I loved this book! Written by ABC News correspondent Dan Harris, it's a fun and easy read. After the humiliating experience of having a full-fledged anxiety attack on live television, Harris reluctantly discovered meditation as the pathway to greater happiness and less stress. Even the biggest skeptics would find it hard to argue the benefits of mediation after reading this book.

Millennials have been dubbed "the Anxious Generation," as numerous studies have shown that they suffer from a much greater rate of anxiety than previous generations. Mark Manson's book is a totally irreverent, surprisingly thought-provoking look at some of the unique stressors facing them today. According to Manson, the antidote for all of the uncertainty and unhappiness is knowing what's truly important to you and simply not caring about what isn't. I want to make it clear that I don't believe this is a cure for a mental disorder. Anxiety disorder, depression and other mental illnesses need to be treated by licensed professionals. But I do think the advice in this book offers a good framework for living your best life, one that's in alignment with your own, self-determined priorities and values.

Terrie Williams is one of the most successful public relations executives in the country. She's represented superstar clients like Eddie Murphy and jazz legend Miles Davis. She's also struggled with depression. In this book, Williams lays out the psychological impact of racism and discrimination on black people in America and gives readers an intimate look at her life as a black woman living with depression. Her prescription for relief is faith, therapy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes building a supportive network of people and eliminating toxic ones.

If you're put off by explicit language then this article isn't for you. Otherwise, it's a very powerful read.

https://www.nami.org/