By Tiffani Dhooge
In my last article, I shared my lifelong battle with depression and suicide. Despite my personal history, it’s not a platform that I embrace or choose to speak from. The reality of clinical depression is complex and deeply personal. There is no one-size-fits-all experience here; it manifests differently for everyone. For some, the struggle is visibly apparent. Others mask behind a camouflage of normalcy. In my experience, masking can be both a blessing and a burden. On one hand, it allows me to navigate social situations without the burden of judgment or unwanted attention. However, it also exposes me to the unguarded opinions of others more often than I’d care to admit:
“He killed himself??? You are kidding me. I will never understand how someone can be THAT selfish. How could you do that to the people you claim to love?”
I do not judge them. People voice their opinions out of their limited experience, and sometimes that experience is riddled with the pain of someone else’s choices. However, if we are ever to realize meaningful change and build a society that prioritizes mental health with the same importance and respect as physical health, we must be brave enough to engage in honest, challenging discussions about the realities of living with and managing clinical depression.
The unfortunate truth is that many still see depression as a CHOICE, rather than the DISEASE that it truly is. Selfish??? I challenge you to consider the oversimplification of that statement. How can a disease that systematically strips away one’s ability to find joy, to feel loved, or to see a future be reduced to a mere act of selfishness?
Consider this: If someone lost their life to cancer, would we call them selfish? Do we say that they just didn’t try hard enough? Do we call them a coward? Of course not. We understand that they fought like hell against a relentless adversary. Depression deserves the same recognition. And here’s why.
Click here to read more of Tiffani’s story
Do you love a child who is struggling through feelings of loss, sadness or depression? Children’s Harbor, Inc offers FREE in-home counseling for families. You do not have to go through this alone. Call (954) 252-3072 or visit www.childrensharbor.org for help.
If you or a loved one are thinking about suicide, dial 988 on your phone to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Someone is available to help you 24/7
About the Author
A non-profit executive that has served at-risk populations in Broward County for over 25 years, Tiffani has built a reputation as an intuitively driven, community builder with tenacious conviction and pit-bull loyalty.
Tiffani Dhooge serves as President and CEO of Children’s Harbor, leading a nationally recognized team focused on empowering teens in foster care to overcome the trauma they have experienced so that they may lead healthy and productive lives.
