Understanding Depression
I know that everybody has been down at one time or another. But when that feeling doesn’t go away, what are some signs that I could, or someone I know might, be depressed?
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I know that everybody has been down at one time or another. But when that feeling doesn’t go away, what are some signs that I could, or someone I know might, be depressed?
Depression is a common mental health condition that affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It ranges in seriousness from mild, temporary episodes to severe, persistent depression.
Feeling a bit down now and then happens to most of, especially when things don’t go the way we want. It’s temporary and often gets better after a few days or weeks.
Symptoms of feeling down may include feeling:
The key difference between depression and feeling down is how long it lasts, how intense the feelings are, and how it impacts daily life. Major depression, also known as clinical depression, is the more severe form of depression.
If you experience some of the following symptoms most of the day for at least two weeks, you may have depression:1
Depression can stem from a variety of factors including genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological. Everyone is different, but these factors may increase your risk of experiencing depression:1
Anyone can get depressed — all ages, races, ethnicities, and genders. However, there are certain groups who experience higher rates of mental health conditions.2 People who belong to minority groups or who have a chronic illness often face different challenges around mental illness than their non-minority counterparts. Learn more about how health equity impacts mental health.
You are not alone. Know it’s okay to not feel okay. In fact, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that an estimated 21 million adults in the U.S. had a least one major depressive episode in 2021.3
If you think you might be dealing with depression, here’s what you can do:
It can be difficult to know how to help someone who may be experiencing depression. You can’t fix someone’s depression, but here are some ways you can support them.5
Unfortunately, negative and misguided beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition are common. When confronted by these stigmas, it can be easy to judge yourself, resist treatment, or try to figure out your feelings on your own.6
The good news is that there are ways you can combat the stigma around mental health.
Remember: It’s not personal. Another person’s judgments often come from a lack of understanding. They make assumptions about mental health before they get to know you, so don’t believe that their views have anything to do with you personally.
Call 911 if you or someone you know is in life-threatening danger or having a mental health crisis.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text the National Suicide Lifeline at 988. Counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They will listen to you, offer support, and find available resources to help.
988 is the call number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, an independent company offering mental health counselling via phone call or text.
Florida Blue contracts with Lucet to provide behavioral health services.
meQuilibrium is an independent company contracted by Florida Blue to provide health and wellness services and resources to members. This benefit is available to Florida Blue members age 18 and older. Eligibility is limited to members with an individual or family plan, an individual or family ACA plan and members with coverage from their fully insured group employer health plan.
Florida Blue has entered an arrangement with Wellframe to provide members with care decision support services, information, and other services. All decisions that require or pertain to independent professional medical/clinical judgement or training, or the need for medical services, are solely the member’s responsibility and the responsibility of their physicians and other health care providers. Wellframe is an independent company that provides online services to Florida Blue members through the BlueforMe app.
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety.
2 Blue Cross Blue Shield. Uniting to Advance Behavioral Health Equity.
3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data on Depression.
4 Mayo Clinic. Sadness and Depression.
5 Mayo Clinic. Depression: Supporting a family member or friend.
6 Mayo Clinic. Mental health: Overcoming the stigma of mental illness.
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